Government’s Role in the Flu Shot Shortage

Re “Lots of Flu Vaccine on Capitol Hill,” Oct. 20: So the members of Congress believe they are entitled to the flu shots because they are “high-risk” persons because they have to go out, shake hands and kiss babies. I would like to suggest that the entire country is at high risk when these hacks are at their desks while Congress is in session.

Frances E. Murphy

Monterey Park

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Bush administration officials are content to attempt to propagandize us in their usual fashion to cover up the shortage of flu vaccine resulting from their incompetence. They should have known long ago that there were potential problems with the supply of the vaccine, but instead chose to spend our resources elsewhere, e.g., preparing for anthrax or some other unlikely event. According to the CDC, flu kills 36,000 Americans per year. Does the president have any bright ideas about where I can get a shot for my 92-year-old mother?

Donald Broder MD

Studio City

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The Bush administration does not want us to get prescription drugs from Canada, yet it has been relying on importing the flu vaccine from Britain. Am I missing something here?

Ann Harootyan

Van Nuys