Jay Inslee: Washington's 1st Congressional District
Issues
Health
Elected Officials Should Not Get Flu Shots During Public Shortage Unless They Are in a High Risk Group
20 October 2004
U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, questioning his judgment in urging Members of Congress to get flu shots at a time when America is facing a severe shortage in shots for high risk groups, such as the elderly and young children. The loss of about 48 million doses of flu vaccine that were to be imported from England has reduced the United States’ expected flu vaccine supply by approximately one half.
The text of Inslee’s letter is as follows:
The Honorable Bill Frist
Majority Leader
United States Senate
461 Dirksen SOB
Washington, D.C. 20510Dear Senator Frist,
I am writing to express my dismay at news reports this morning that you have sent letters to your elected colleagues urging them to get flu shots despite the national request that persons not in a priority category should forgo the flu shot in this time of short supply. Your suggestion that elected officials should get a flu shot because they shake hands and mingle with people is irresponsible, both because it may cost vulnerable people who truly need the flu shot’s protection their chance of receiving vaccination, and because it feeds a public perception that elected officials believe they are more special than the constituents they serve.
Elected officials who do not fall into the vulnerable populations as described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should respect the guidelines and should not receive a flu vaccination while there is a shortage. Just because some elected officials are lucky enough to have access to a flu shot does not mean that taking the shot is the right thing to do in the face of the shortage. People older than 65, children ages 6 months to 23 months, people ages 2 to 64 with chronic illnesses, pregnant women and medical workers involved directly in patient care are our priority populations and should receive the vaccine first. Elected officials should set an example for others by respecting the guidelines.
Furthermore, while it is true that elected officials meet and greet many people in an election season, they are no different in this regard from cashiers, postal clerks, school teachers, ticket-takers at Seahawk stadium, and many others dedicated workers in the service industry. Elected officials should not save the best for themselves while making the people that they serve wait in long lines for scarce flu shots. Such behavior is exactly the sort of thing that erodes public trust and confidence in government.
I will respect the CDC guidelines and will not receive a flu shot this season. As a public official with medical experience I urge you to rethink your position.
Very Truly Yours,
Jay Inslee
Member of Congress