Top Firms Finally Hit By H1N1 Threat

6 Nov 2009 // It's been a long time coming, but the H1N1 threat has finally hit Wall Street - not the virus itself though, but anger from lawmakers and activist groups who are annoyed that some financial markets professionals might be getting the vaccine at a time when hospitals are experiencing shortfalls, and the vulnerable in society aren't being taken care of.

Business Week magazine reported this week that firms like Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan have been provided with a limit number of vaccines, whereas US schools, hospitals and community health centers have a greater need.

New Jersey Democratic Rep Frank Pallone said Thursday: 'I am concerned that the distribution of the vaccine is resulting in favoured treatment for the privileged', while the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) wrote to Health & Human Service Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, asking why the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has been sending Wall Street the vaccines, and pointing out: 'Although CREW has been unable to uncover the demographic make-up of Goldman Sachs, Citigroup and JPMorgan Chase, it seems safe to assume the vast majority of their employees are not pregnant women, infants and children, young adults up to 24 years old, and healthcare workers (who should be getting priority)'.

Both Citigroup and Goldman have confirmed that they have received a small amount of vaccines, and that they are only supplying them to employees who are covered under the CDC and Department of Health guidelines. And in a great PR coup, Morgan Stanley is said to be donating its 1,000 doses to hospitals in the New York area which have yet to receive the vaccine.

Here the CREW letter in full:

Request for Investigation into Distribution of HINl Vaccine to Wall Street Firms

'Dear Secretary Sebelius:

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington ("CREW") asks that you initiate an immediate investigation into why the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") approved the distribution of the HINI vaccine to Wall Street firms at a time when the vaccine is unavailable to most Americans.

According to news reports, 13 companies, including Citigroup and Goldman Sachs have begun receiving small quantities of the vaccine. Esme E. Deprez, New York Businesses Get HINI Vaccine, Business Week, November 2,2009. Citigroup has received 1,200 units and Goldman Sachs, which has requested 5,200 doses, has received 200 units so far. Time Warner and JPMorgan Chase also have either received the vaccine or are scheduled to do so. Apparently, New York City's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene approved orders by 20 employers after they were cleared by the CDC.

Wall Street firms are receiving the vaccine despite reports of vast shortages. In fact, just yesterday U.S. health officials testified before Congress and expressed frustration with the struggle to produce and distribute the vaccine. Judith Bums, Health Officials Frustrated by HINI Vaccine Shortage, Wall Street Journal, November 4, 2009. According to CDC Director Thomas Frieden, only 32.3 million doses are available, far less than the 159 million needed to cover those at the highest risk. Given the scarce supply, the CDC has recommended the vaccine be directed only to those at highest risk: pregnant women, infants and children and those up to 24 years, those who care for infants, health and emergency services personnel and adults with compromised immune systems or other chronic health problems.

State officials also are concerned about the shortages. The head of Alabama's Department of Public Health, testified that 62% of the vaccines ordered by the state will not be available until after December 1,2009, and the director of Minnesota's St. Paul Ramsey County Department of Public Health said he is expecting only 7,800 doses for more than 20,000 children.

California ranks healthcare workers third in line of priority to receive the vaccine, after pregnant women and infant caregivers. Los Angeles County's three public hospitals ordered 110,000 vaccines, but have received only about 18,000 doses. Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Shortage of Flu Vaccines Leave Healthcare Workers Vulnerable, latimes.com, November 3, 2009. Out of 24,000 healthcare workers who need the vaccine, only 2,500 front line staff have received it. Id. Similarly, UCLA's two hospitals received 1,000 doses for 10,000 staff and 35,000 patients.

This situation is echoed around the country, leaving most of those seeking the vaccine unable to receive it with no remedy in sight. Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Nicole Lurie told a House appropriations subcommittee that the administration is unable to predict when sufficient amounts of the vaccine will become available. David Brown, Flu Outrunning Vaccine, Experts Say, Washington Post, November 5, 2009. CDC Director Frieden said "it is quite likely the current wave of influenza will peak, crest and begin to decline before there are ample supplies of the vaccine."

Frankly, it is astonishing that in the face of widespread shortages, the CDC has seen fit to approve distribution of the HINI vaccine to Wall Street firms not known to be populated by those in the highest risk categories. Although CREW has been unable to uncover the demographic makeup of Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, and lP Morgan Chase, surely it is safe to assume the vast majority of their employees are not pregnant women, infants and children, young adults up to 24 years old, and healthcare workers.

Terrified parents are lining up their children at clinics for hours only to be turned away when the vaccine runs out, and health care workers are risking their own health and safety every day. Under these circumstances, it is the height of irresponsibility for the CDC to approve distribution of the vaccine to anywhere other than where it is most likely to be provided to those at the greatest risk. Therefore, CREW requests that you initiate an immediate investigation into this matter, halt further distribution to corporate entities, and ensure the vaccine is distributed first to those most in need.

Sincerely,

Melanie Sloan
Executive Director'

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