65? Back of the Line for the Swine Flu Vaccine

[dgriffin]

The New York Times



65? Back of the Line for the Swine Flu Vaccine, Pal


Life is unfair. Or, at least, it sure can look that way.

For example, consider this: Who of these four is first in line for a swine flu shot:

1. A great-grandmother in a nursing home with lung problems?

2. A hospital cafeteria worker being treated for AIDS?

3. An overweight department-store Santa with a line of children waiting for his lap?

4. A healthy Wall Street banker whose trophy wife is pushing a new baby in a $600 Bumbleride jogging stroller?

Answer: The banker.

CONTINUED AT:

www.nytimes.com/2009/11/22/weekinreview/22mcneil.html

[gski]

Dave, great article. There's a couple of points that people may not see if they don't go to the link and they really should be noted. It's what we're losing in my opinion is this country and yet it's one of our most valuable assets, yet too many times they get forgotten or thrown to the curb. Our seniors. They helped to build this country and see it through tough times. The couple of quotes from the article tell the real story!

And, while the elderly and sick may feel vulnerable, they also often have a sense of self-sacrifice.

A few years ago, preparing for a possible pandemic of fatal bird flu, the C.D.C. held focus groups around the country to set vaccine priorities. Some were composed mostly of seniors.

Janice Zalen, director of special programs at the American Health Care Association, which represents 11,000 nursing homes, recalled the reaction.

While nearly everyone wanted the shots if there were plenty, she said, “The elderly said, ‘Well, if it comes down to it, if there aren’t enough, I don’t need it — give it to my grandson.’ ”

[bobbbiez]

lol!!!! At 65 most can't make to the front of the line anymore anyways. Yep, agree......."give it to my grandsons and my pregnant daughter." ;D

[denise]

I found this very bizarre and very scary. My father (72 yrs of age) has had two organ transplants and very suseptible to germs and catches cold very easily. I wish he had been allowed the H1N1 vaccine.

[dgriffin]

Denise, to be fair .. assuming they're telling us the truth ... the CDC says the reason 65+ year old citizens have a low priority for the vaccine is because they have a lower than average chance of getting H1N1. That's because we (I'm 66) survived two similar flu epidemics in the 70's and the residual antibodies will keep us from contracting the Swine flu.

Also, these are recommendations. Although I haven't been told this, any doctor who believes his or her patient should have the shot will be sure to give it to them, I would think.

That said, I suggest we're witnessing the beginning of the rationing of medical care in the US. Not surprising, I suppose, given the way medical expenses are eating into the productive capital of the nation. When you think of it, what do you suppose would happen if everyone in the US became obsessed with Hollywood films. (More than now, I mean.) Such that people were willing to spend $100 each day per man, woman and child just to see movies. None of this money would go into products made to sell overseas to reduce our balance of payments. None of it would produce useful articles or employ the legions for whom we have nothing to do in this country. Eventually, the government would step in and ration tickets to the movies. Well .....

On the other hand, as someone pointed out in an interesting article I read not long ago, $2500 dollars spent on a medical procedure WILL go to a local industry, staffed by people who have good paying jobs, and it might mean you won't have that $2500 to send to Japan for a new digital TV and help THEIR economy..

[bobbbiez]

Denise, your Dad should be able to receive the vaccine just because of his illness. I'm in the same boat due to severe respiratory problems and last month my Doc was going to give me the vaccine but due to an infection I had he felt I should not receive either flu vaccine until the infection is gone.

Did he go to a clinic or his doctor? That makes a big difference on getting the vaccine.

[denise]

His primary physician gave him the line about elderly being immune to H1N1. He does also still receive transplant followup care. Hopefully my parents called out there to see what they thought.

[bobbbiez]

Denise, he should follow up with his transplant team and do as they advise. If they feel he should have the vaccine get a note from them stating so and he shouldn't have a problem getting the vaccine here.

I wish him all the best and my prayers are with him.

[bobbbiez]

Better still, if his transplant team feels he should have the vaccine have them flax their findings to his primary care physician. Should speed up the process.