Where is the H1N1 vaccine?

Over the weekend President Obama declared a national emergency because of the recent H1N1 infections across the United States. This has the effect of increasing the federal funds that are available to hospitals and all infrastructure slated to combat the flu. The big question is: Where is the vaccine?

On October 22nd Kathleen Sebelius, director of Health and Human Services, testified before Congress and explained that the production of the vaccine was going slower than was anticipated. Really Kathleen? So what you're saying is that the government has failed to acquire vaccines in the allotted time frame. The government failing to meet a deadline? Really? This must be the first time it happens. Never mind that everyday more people become infected with the virus because they have not been immunized. Schools are being shut down, fear is spreading, and people are dying.

But wait, did anyone tell you that we are not even sure if the vaccine works? Do you know that we are not even aware of the side effects it will have, if any? Did you know that yesterday the FDA approved an Intravenous version of this drug? How is it that some cancer/HIV drugs take years to pass FDA scrutiny without any guarantee of being approved and an IV medicine that didn't exist 1 year ago has already been accepted? It doesn't have anything to do with a government agenda, or does it? It couldn't be that the last thing the Obama administration needs is another domestic problem eating away at his popularity. There is absolutely no evidence to back this up but it is interesting to think about.

When our Congresspeople and Senators commence voting on the sweeping health care overhaul that seems to be imminent (Dems have threatened the "Nuclear Option"), remember that the government can't even procure a vaccine on schedule. Are these the people you want in charge of your life? If you get in an accident and need an emergency organ transplant do you want the government making the decisions for you or your family? I feel very bad for the people in the United States that don't have health insurance but you know what? I pay for it in my Medicare tax and as part of my employer provided health insurance. I stand with the majority of Americans that say "Leave my health care privatized".