OK, this H1N1 vaccine controversy on Wall st

mlm1128

What's your take on it?  I understand the outrage since there are still so many children and pregnant woman that can't get their hands on it.

Since I work for a financial services company, I also understand that a pandemic/epidemic on Wall Street could cripple the financial world for weeks.

Littlejen22

I had not heard of that and I understand how it could cripple our financial system but do you really think that is why?  Or do you think it is because that is where the money is...political money, etc.  If we are so concerned that it could cripple our financial system than we should be more concerned that it could wipe out youth.  It's insane that we are worried that it can kill our babies and pregnant women and yet we do not want anyone to be out sick for a week on wall street.  And I have also worked for a financial company...in trading (well, actually settlements.

mlm1128

Well, some of the companies have donated them to Hospitals and Clinics in the city, which I think is what they should do.  And I'm glad to see they aren't all greedy people who are only thinking about themselves.

 

true_norskie

Don't know about the controversy, but if I'm assuming correctly, people on Wall St believe they should have priority over pregnant women and children?!? 

H1N1 has definitely had an impact on productivity in my company--but it has not "crippled" its ability to continue to operate.

Wrong.  Just plain wrong.

mlm1128

I don't get the impression they think they have priority, I believe the State of New York made the decision.  At least that's how I read it.  That's why the company itself is making decisions to donate.

 

minnasmommy

I heard that the big companies that got the H1N1 vaxs are only giving it to their "high-risk" employees....whether or not that's true is another question.

realistically, I think most companies wouldn't turn down an opportunity to have the vax given to their employees if it were offered to them. 

(that said--my DH works for a small company on wall street and they weren't offered anything...not even coffee--LOL) 

true_norskie

mlm1128:

I don't get the impression they think they have priority, I believe the State of New York made the decision.  At least that's how I read it.  That's why the company itself is making decisions to donate.

Okay, so not to single out the innocent bystanders getting pulled in...I'm just floored that SOMEONE thinks this.

Personally, if I were offered the shot before someone deemed high risk, I'd gladly give it to them and contract and weather the virus myself.  I assume I'd be in the majority with that one.  The stories about these women losing their babies after contracting H1N1 are so heartbreaking.

mlm1128

Me too.  I didn't say I agreed....I think it's stupid.  I am still po'd that my ss can't get a shot because he's too old.

happ17

omg I was just bitching about that today. My company too is telling us to go get one, and if we do,w e dont' have to pay a co-pay or whatever. ll the wall street companies are giving out vaccines in their offices. I'm so pissed about that, since very few of us are high risk. WTF?!?!

It's just companies BUYING the vaccine from big pharma because they don't want to lose productivity from what little is left of their collective staff.

true_norskie

mlm1128:

Me too.  I didn't say I agreed....I think it's stupid.  I am still po'd that my ss can't get a shot because he's too old.

I personally know three kids hospitalized from it--they, too, would be "too old" to get the vaccine.  This whole thing is so frustrating.

And don't get me started on the people lining up for a clinic who are normal, healthy adults...and receive the shot either because they lied, withheld information or the people running the clinic didn't do their due diligence.

minnasmommy

mlm--if your ss has a "high-risk" condition he should be able to get the shot despite his age....or so I thought. I know with S's heart condition both that cardio and her pedi said she HAD to have the shot and not the mist!

mlm1128

He isn't high risk.  It just ticks me off that there is a cut off, like some people are more important than others. 

minnasmommy

I don't think it's some are more important than others. I think it's just that "healthy" non-medically compromised people can safely get the nasal mist while pg women and medically compromised cannot. there are just such limited quantities of the shot... seems the mist is more available. also I've read that they can make the mist more quickly as it doesn't need to incubate like the shot does.

I hope you are able to get the shot for him though!

Bellisimo

Ehh, whatever.  If the proposed (by the gov) 100 million vax had been produced by now instead of a measly 16 million we wouldn't be having this discussion.  People would be getting vaccinated (those that want to) and long lines and pandemonium wouldn't be ensuing.  The gov. sucks at handling such things....the thought of them handling healthcare is scary!

juniper19

Bellisimo:

Ehh, whatever.  If the proposed (by the gov) 100 million vax had been produced by now instead of a measly 16 million we wouldn't be having this discussion.  People would be getting vaccinated (those that want to) and long lines and pandemonium wouldn't be ensuing.  The gov. sucks at handling such things....the thought of them handling healthcare is scary!

This shortage has nothing to do with government.  It is just the process of producing the vaccine which is slow and unpredictable.  In fact, it is the free market that inhibits companies from investing resources in researching more efficient ways to produce vaccines because of the economics behind it (ie vaccines are expensive to produce, distribute, and expire if not used in a timely manner).

veloelle

What Juniper said. The white coats did not anticipate the vax would grow so slow. Big giant fat eye roll at Wall st getting vac priority. Inflated ego much?