Did Bush Cause the Flu Vaccine Shortage?

Has anyone been effected by the Flu Vaccine shortage? If so, who do you blame? Is it Bush's fault or has this been a problem for years?

"The shortage also has become an issue on the campaign trail, with Democratic candidate Sen. John Kerry blaming the Bush administration for not paying attention to warning signs about possible shortages and the Bush campaign inferring that vaccine manufacturers are hindered by fears of lawsuits, something the campaign said Kerry would not move to fix."
www.cnn.com...

First, Bush lied at the debates about the flu shots. They don't come from England, an American company outsourced to England. Well, maybe that wasn't technically a lie. Anyway, in 2001 the GAO told Bush that we would have a problem. Guess what, we have a problem.

And why would he do that?

He may not be the best president, or not even the best presidential candidate, but that doesn't mean he wants Americans dead. That's really just getting silly.

Originally posted by curme
First, Bush lied at the debates about the flu shots. They don't come from England, an American company outsourced to England. Well, maybe that wasn't technically a lie. Anyway, in 2001 the GAO told Bush that we would have a problem. Guess what, we have a problem.

The shortage is because of Hillary Clinton, plain and simple. Granted Bush could have ordered more doses but there isn't enough American companies to make that much vaccine. Hillary Clintons plan to give all kids and elderly Free flu shots brought American companies down. Sounds good but with price caps and no guarantee the government would pay for the vaccines that are not used, these American companies had no choice but to outsource.

Kerry is quick at pointing the finger at Bush but the problem is nearly 10 years old.

Why does Kerry want us to adopt a socialist form of medicare? Just like these flu shots, we will all be waiting for an appointment from a doctor if he gets elected. Kerry speaks about jobs being outsourced but he wants to outsource our pharmachutical industry. why should we have to go to Cananda to get medicines, maybe it's because of all the lawsuits that we have here. maybe tort reform is a better way to lower the cost of medicines.

While I am no fan of Bush, I don't believe that everything that goes wrong in the country is automatically his fault...or any single person. Isn't it a little rash to blame one man for this shortage? I guess it's just easier to point fingers than to discuss what is wrong and the steps it will take to fix it.

I agree its not Bush's fault that there is a shortage.

You heard Dubya at the debates, and what was sickening is that he said it with a smile/smirk on his face.

If the flu vaccine shortage is not a political issue, then why would they bring up this topic in a presidential debate?

enough said!

The shortage is because of Hillary Clinton, plain and simple.

Heehee! Come on now...give me a break...

Originally posted by AntiPolitrix
Has anyone been effected by the Flu Vaccine shortage? If so, who do you blame? Is it Bush's fault or has this been a problem for years?

"The shortage also has become an issue on the campaign trail, with Democratic candidate Sen. John Kerry blaming the Bush administration for not paying attention to warning signs about possible shortages and the Bush campaign inferring that vaccine manufacturers are hindered by fears of lawsuits, something the campaign said Kerry would not move to fix."
www.cnn.com...

Yes, I am affected, as my employer was going to provide flu shots, free of service to us, but the provider called and cancelled this week, due to shortage.

NO I DO NOT BLAME PRESIDENT BUSH OR HIS ADMINISTRATION


for pete's sake, can't we find something better to talk about...

Originally posted by Lecky
Heehee! Come on now...give me a break...

Maybe not totally Hillary's fault but i am sure her plan didn't help. She wanted free vaccine for kids and elderly people at a special price for the government which did not help the America companies that used to make the vaccine. It was costing the American complanies too much to make because the government (Hillary) set up price caps. The plan also didn't account for the extra vaccine that no one used. The governament wouldn't pay for the extras so it was wasted and the American Companies had to eat the cost. That is part of the reason the American companies outsourced the job to someone else. They couldn't afford it.

Originally posted by curme
Anyway, in 2001 the GAO told Bush that we would have a problem.

Not to beat a dead horse but in 2001, intel from around the world said Saddam had WMD.

Originally posted by curme
First, Bush lied at the debates about the flu shots. They don't come from England, an American company outsourced to England. Well, maybe that wasn't technically a lie. Anyway, in 2001 the GAO told Bush that we would have a problem. Guess what, we have a problem.

Actually, it wasn't outsourced. Chiron is an American company that purchased Powderject and their existing plant in England.

Originally posted by AntiPolitrix

Not to beat a dead horse but in 2001, intel from around the world said Saddam had WMD.

Yeah, and Team Bush cherry picked what was convenient from there too. Bush's administration chose to single source our supply, plain & simple. I would love to see someone dig into Chiron Corp. and find out their connections politically. The big problem with the Bush Administration is that you have former lobbyists & former industry executives running the departments they used to be governed by.
A country shouldn't be held hostage by a pharma company; free market perspective would have had multiple companies bidding for our business. We would have had a better price & no shortages.

MBA president my azz.

Originally posted by Bout Time
Bush's administration chose to single source our supply, plain & simple.

Did Bush chose to single source or was it prier to his Presidency. And I noticed you didn't touch the Hillary Clinton connection? Hmm interesting.

Bush is responsible for the flu shot shortage.......just like Kerry is responsible for Greedo shooting first! Cmon guys you might want to think that the president has all of this power but he really doesn't do many things internally for the country. He is one man in one branch with hundreds of people trying to stop his policies.

[edit on 10/22/2004 by verfed]

I am so sick about the crying and whining over flu shots!! People are so dependent on medicine and it is just stupid. "I have a headache! Take 2 of these", " I sneezed, take 2 of these", "My butt hurts, take 2 of these". People are breaking down their immune system taking all of this crap! Quit being a baby and deal with it! Babies and Elderly should get a flu shot, and that's it. Everyone in America don't need it! I have had the flu many times before, I did'nt die. I never had the shot! All the statistics you see of flu related deaths are mostly people already ill with other problems, or very old people.
Take care of yourselves, wash your hands, and eat right and you won't have a problem!

By the way my dog ran away yesterday, that damn George Bush must have left my gate open!

Grow up and quit blaming everything on Bush!

Wow moneymaker I agree with you. But prepare to majorly get flamed by the people who pop a pil for every little ache and pain for being so truthful. I can't even swallow pills, I don't even know how. I've only had the shots you need to get for school.

Originally posted by moneymaker
"My butt hurts, take 2 of these". People are breaking down their immune system taking all of this crap!

I agree, i was curious to see how many people out there are really effected by the shortage. I don't believe in getting a flu shot, it only weakens my immune system.

By the way my dog ran away yesterday, that damn George Bush must have left my gate open!

You too, damn that Bush.