“Not only have these companies wiped out our Treasury, now they are wiping out our flu vaccine supply”

Washington, DC – Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) sent a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius today in response to news reports that Wall Street executives received shipments of the H1N1 vaccine, while counties across Iowa and America are currently experiencing severe shortages of the vaccine.

“While Wall Street executives have received the vaccine, many Iowans have been denied access,” Braley said. “I am very concerned that our government is looking out for the health and wealth of Wall Street executives while thousands of Iowans are left in the cold. Not only have these companies wiped out our Treasury, now they are wiping out our flu vaccine supply.”

Eleven Iowans, including one adult from Dubuque County and one child, have died this year from the H1N1 virus while thousands more are at severe risk of contracting it. Additionally, Iowa is experiencing a drastic shortage of the seasonal flu vaccine in Iowa.   This shortage has led to the cancelation of seasonal flu shot clinics across Eastern Iowa.

“It is beyond the pale that Wall Street companies have been given the vaccine while thousands of people across Iowa have been told they will not be given the same access,” Braley said. “The vaccine should be distributed based on risk and need, not based on wealth, profession, or zip code.”

Read the letter here.