Michael A. Karp – 10/20/06

This page was last updated on October 22, 2006.

Getting flu vaccine a struggle; Michael A. Karp, M.D.; Beaver County Times; October 20, 2006. Co-authors were Drs. Donna J. Craig and Kathleen M. Osten. All are allegedly doctors at Ambridge Area Healthcare Services.

If you thought this was an apolitical letter discussing the doctors’ alleged difficulty in procuring flu vaccine, you would be wrong.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“We are pleased to hear that there is a plentiful supply of flu vaccine this year because this is a valuable tool in helping to prevent a serious illness.

“As family physicians in Ambridge, we are troubled that we are not able to obtain an adequate supply of this vaccine for our patients. We care for many elderly and chronically ill patients, and we have been trying to obtain influenza vaccine since last flu season.

“Our staff has spent untold hours on the phone and on the computer with all possible suppliers, but we aren’t able to get a reliable source for flu vaccine. We are one of many practices in this area experiencing difficulty in getting the flu vaccine this year.

“We find this especially troubling because we are aware of the many flu shot clinics and drive-by flu shots being given by retail establishments such as grocery stores and drug stores. Apparently, these large purchasers are able to get their orders filled, but our patients are not interested in waiting in long lines, and they also do not want to get their shots in a grocery store.

“Our patients believe their health care belongs in their doctor’s office, and we tend to agree. We’re all for convenience. It’s fine for flu shots to be given to healthy people in stores after high-risk people are immunized through doctors’ offices. We are triaging our limited supply to cover only our most elderly and ill patients, which is health-care rationing at its most difficult.

“We have contacted the offices of U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum and U.S. Rep. Melissa Hart, but have received no satisfaction from either. This problem of flu-shot distribution has not made it into their consciousness yet, but a national approach is needed to prevent a tragedy in the future. Our sickest and oldest patients deserve better.”

[RWC] Here are the two points that make this a political hit piece.

First, I don’t know if going to the government to help you get flu vaccine is the way to go. Even if it is, the next point is a killer.

Second, note whom the letter mentioned and whom it didn’t. The letter didn’t mention county health officials. It didn’t mention the commonwealth Department of Health. The letter also didn’t mention any local member of the General Assembly, including Rep. Sean Ramaley and Sen. Gerald LaValle whose districts cover Ambridge. We didn’t hear about any contact with Gov. Rendell. I’m sure it’s only a coincidence all of the folks not mentioned are Democrats.

Nope, the only names mentioned were those of the two people who should probably have the least to do with the alleged situation. Had they been Democrats, they wouldn’t have been mentioned either.