Some big employers get swine flu vaccine

Union leader calls distribution unfair

November 06, 2009|Karen Matthews, Associated Press

NEW YORK - Some of New York City’s largest employers - including Wall Street firms like Goldman Sachs and big universities - have started receiving doses of the much-in-demand swine flu vaccine for their at-risk employees.

The government-funded vaccine is being distributed to states; health departments decide where to send the limited number of doses. In New York, health officials are allowing businesses with onsite medical staffs to apply for the vaccine.

Doctors must agree to vaccinate only high-risk employees like pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses, said Jessica Scaperotti, a spokeswoman for New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Last month, the city began offering vaccine to schoolchildren, as well as to pediatricians and obstetricians. Half of the pediatricians in New York City have requested vaccine.

“As the vaccine became more available we expanded it to adult providers,’’ Scaperotti said. She called the large employers “a great avenue for vaccinating people at risk.’’

But a critic said Wall Street firms should not have access to the vaccine before less wealthy Americans do.

“Wall Street banks have already taken so much from us. They’ve taken trillions of our tax dollars. They’ve taken away people’s homes who are struggling to pay the bills,’’ union official John VanDeventer wrote on the Service Employees International Union website.

The swine flu vaccine has been in short supply nationwide because of manufacturing delays, resulting in long lines at clinics and patients being turned away at doctor’s offices. The vaccine started trickling out in early October, and there are now nearly 36 million doses available.

Rules vary by state on how the vaccine is distributed. For example, Chicago’s health department is initially excluding businesses. Others, like New York, said they would allowing businesses with medical staffs to vaccinate those in the priority groups.