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Since both candidates are talking about how they'll fix/reform/modify, etc. health care, this is a small, but easy reminder of how fucked up the system truly is right now:
As many may or may not know, there is going to be a huge shortage of flu vaccines in the US this year. Basically, the country orders them from various other providers. One company in particular, Chiron (Kai-ron) in the UK makes ~50% of the total supply of vaccines.
Well, it was disclosed 2 weeks ago that Chiron's supply got contaminated, so there was no telling if they were able to ship their supply out, based on trying to see how mcuh was contaminated. Reports came out indicating there was no guarantee, but a couple of their officials still assured that the supply was on target to still be delivered (minus of course the contaminated lots).
Last week, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (UK) regulators revoked Chiron's license to make the vaccine for this year, effectively cancelling all shipments of the vaccine.
So now, the US is basically fucked, because the amounts of flu vaccines are halved. While negotiations are trying to happen to get small amounts off of other providers not normally ordered from, there's going to be a nice large shortage this year.
Here's just some of the reports out so far, based on this shortage that have occurred in the last week:
-Many public flu clinics have been cancelled, and probably won't even happen at all.
-The few clinics that are still held have incredibly long lines of people waiting to get one, some lining up for hours before they even start, and working off of a lottery based system (of course not everyone will get one).
-Vaccines held by middlemen getting jacked up over 10 times in the price, thus hurting the medical facilities that need them (because of the extra costs), and eventually the consumer becuase of such. (some states now suing or getting ready to sue those who supposedly have).
-The FDA, Justice Dept. & now SEC all launching investigations into Chiron.
-Chiron's stock dropping over 20% in the last week (16% the day they announced the license revoke).
-2 class action lawsuits filed against Chiron, on "behalf of all persons who purchased the securities of Chiron Corporation between July 23, 2003 and October 5, 2004." (with others investigating into a possibility of such).
-Thieves swiping 60 boxes of vaccine (620 doses) from a suburban Denver medical office (and no doubt sending them through the black market).
-The remaing vaccines will be now directly distributed to pediatricians, nursing homes and other places that care for high-risk patients.
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I know I'm not going to get one this year. Obviously I'm not in the "high risk" category (which are toddlers & elderly; those who can theoretically die from the flu), but I would probably be in that next, larger round of people. Of course my mom's gonna be pissed (she's a RN..go figure), but I'm personally not surprised at all. I'll just cross my fingers and hope I don't get laid up in bed for 2-3 weeks...
Gotta love the system sometimes.
As many may or may not know, there is going to be a huge shortage of flu vaccines in the US this year. Basically, the country orders them from various other providers. One company in particular, Chiron (Kai-ron) in the UK makes ~50% of the total supply of vaccines.
Well, it was disclosed 2 weeks ago that Chiron's supply got contaminated, so there was no telling if they were able to ship their supply out, based on trying to see how mcuh was contaminated. Reports came out indicating there was no guarantee, but a couple of their officials still assured that the supply was on target to still be delivered (minus of course the contaminated lots).
Last week, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (UK) regulators revoked Chiron's license to make the vaccine for this year, effectively cancelling all shipments of the vaccine.
So now, the US is basically fucked, because the amounts of flu vaccines are halved. While negotiations are trying to happen to get small amounts off of other providers not normally ordered from, there's going to be a nice large shortage this year.
Here's just some of the reports out so far, based on this shortage that have occurred in the last week:
-Many public flu clinics have been cancelled, and probably won't even happen at all.
-The few clinics that are still held have incredibly long lines of people waiting to get one, some lining up for hours before they even start, and working off of a lottery based system (of course not everyone will get one).
-Vaccines held by middlemen getting jacked up over 10 times in the price, thus hurting the medical facilities that need them (because of the extra costs), and eventually the consumer becuase of such. (some states now suing or getting ready to sue those who supposedly have).
-The FDA, Justice Dept. & now SEC all launching investigations into Chiron.
-Chiron's stock dropping over 20% in the last week (16% the day they announced the license revoke).
-2 class action lawsuits filed against Chiron, on "behalf of all persons who purchased the securities of Chiron Corporation between July 23, 2003 and October 5, 2004." (with others investigating into a possibility of such).
-Thieves swiping 60 boxes of vaccine (620 doses) from a suburban Denver medical office (and no doubt sending them through the black market).
-The remaing vaccines will be now directly distributed to pediatricians, nursing homes and other places that care for high-risk patients.
-------------
I know I'm not going to get one this year. Obviously I'm not in the "high risk" category (which are toddlers & elderly; those who can theoretically die from the flu), but I would probably be in that next, larger round of people. Of course my mom's gonna be pissed (she's a RN..go figure), but I'm personally not surprised at all. I'll just cross my fingers and hope I don't get laid up in bed for 2-3 weeks...
Gotta love the system sometimes.
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