Delegation upset H1N1 vaccines going to Wall St.

7 Nov 2009 // What do area clinics and Wall Street firms have in common?

To the surprise and outrage of many, both have been receiving vaccines for the H1N1 virus.

According to the Associated Press, the government-funded vaccine is being distributed to states, where health departments decide where to send the limited doses. In New York, health officials are allowing businesses with onsite medical staff to apply for the vaccine.

Those businesses -- aside from banking firms, other businesses, universities and the Federal Reserve Bank received vaccines -- are under the same requirement as the area clinics to give the vaccine to the highest priority groups.

Still, for a group that seems to keep coming out ahead of taxpayers, the news frustrated the regional delegation in Washington, D.C.

"After our most vulnerable stand in lines for hours to even have a chance to get the H1N1 vaccine, it's outrageous to see Wall Street bailout recipients on the short list," Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, said via e-mail. "The vaccine is scarce enough as it is. I don't know how the Obama administration allowed this to happen, but they need to get to the bottom of this quickly to ensure that those who need the vaccine most receive it."

The high priorities for the H1N1 virus, also called swine flu, vaccine are pregnant women, people who work with children, youth six months to 24, those prone to illness, the elderly and healthcare workers.

After Business Week first reported the story Monday, the nonprofit group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington sent a fax to the Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to investigate why the vaccines were approved to the Wall Street firms.

"Frankly, it is astonishing that in the face of widespread shortages, the CDC has seen fit to approve distribution of the H1N1 vaccine to Wall Street firms not known to be populated by those in the highest risk categories," CREW Director Melanie Sloan wrote to Sebelius on Nov. 5.

According to the AP, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not review and sign off on the decisions of state and city health departments, though the CDC director Thomas Frieden sent a letter Thursday asking state and local health departments to review their distribution plans and ensure the vaccines are going to those most in need.

"Although CREW has been unable to uncover the demographic makeup of Goldman Sachs, Citigroup and JP 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," Sloan added.

All three firms have received money from the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or bank bailout. Goldman Sachs, however, has returned all $10 billion it borrowed directly.

As of Friday evening, there was no response, other than Frieden's letter, from HHS. A spokeswoman for Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said his office contacted HHS, which assured that it had been in contact with New York City urging that the vaccine go only to those in the high-risk categories.

Staff for Congressman Dave Loebsack's office made similar comments about ensuring the vaccines go to those who need it most, as advised by the Centers for Disease Control and other medical professionals.

Harkin's spokeswoman Bergen Kenny said Harkin -- who is chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee -- and his office staff understand why people are outraged at the news.

Illinois Congressman Phil Hare, D-17th District, took it a step further and showed outrage himself.

"Last time I checked, Wall Street fat cats were not listed as a priority group for the H1N1 vaccine. The Department of Health and Human Services should investigate this report immediately," Hare said in a release. "Taken alone, providing the H1N1 vaccine to Wall Street when vulnerable Americans are still waiting is an insult. Combined with the bailouts and bonuses of last year, it is downright appalling."

Hare said just this week he visited a health clinic in his west-central Illinois district that was 10,000 doses short of the vaccine it needs. In southeast Iowa, clinics have not been able to keep up with demand either, though clinics held have not yet turned anyone away.

The good news is more and more vaccines are becoming available. Just two days ago officials were reporting 32 million vaccines had been released, and by Friday that number had already jumped to 38 million.

According to the AP, Goldman Sachs has received 200 doses and Citigroup has received 1,200, health officials said. In statements, Citigroup and Goldman Sachs said the vaccine would only go to those in high-risk groups.

"Goldman Sachs, like other responsible employers, has requested vaccine and will supply it only to employees who qualify," said spokesman Ed Canaday.

Morgan Stanley -- which also has returned the $10 billion it got from the bailout -- received 1,000 doses of the vaccine for its New York and suburban offices, but turned over its entire supply to local hospitals when it learned it received shipments before some area hospitals, spokeswoman Jeanmarie McFadden said.