Joins Colleagues In Introducing Resolution Calling For Postponement Of Vaccines For Detainees Until High-Risk Americans Are Vaccinated
WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. John Cornyn R-Texas today joined fellow Sens. David Vitter R-La. and Kay Bailey Hutchison R-Texas in introducing a Sense of the Senate Resolution calling for the postponement of vaccinations for the H1N1 virus to detainees at Guantanamo Bay until Americans identified as being a priority for vaccination have the opportunity to receive it first.
It is unfathomable that terrorists at Guantanamo Bay would be given priority for the H1N1 vaccine over American children and pregnant women. Thanks to this Administrations lack of focus millions of vulnerable Americans are still awaiting the swine flu vaccination. The fact that they would be passed over in favor of terrorists is the latest example of an Administration whose priorities are fundamentally wrong. Fortunately it is not too late for the President to reverse course and make sure that all Americans vulnerable or not are given the opportunity to be treated before any inmates or terror suspects" said Cornyn.*
Swine flu is a very real concern for all of us across the country" said Vitter. Currently the H1N1 vaccine is only being provided to certain high-risk segments of the population. The vaccine is in short supply and as such there are millions of Americans in these high-risk groups still awaiting the vaccine. We should save the vaccine for those who need it most and as of today women children and other at-risk individuals should fall squarely in line under that category. It should be made available to them before we hand it out to terrorists at Gitmo" said Vitter.
H1N1 has caused over 1000 American deaths so far this flu season and our first priority must be to protect our most vulnerable citizens. Infants pregnant women and children must be at the front of the line to receive the H1N1 flu vaccinations which are in short supply. Our resolution affirms that priority and it condemns efforts by the Obama Administration to send scarce vaccines to prisoners and terrorists at Guantanamo while women and children wait in Texas" said Hutchison.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has identified certain target portions of the population to receive the H1N1 swine flu vaccine including pregnant women and children. Due to high demand and a limited supply a significant portion of these segments has not yet been vaccinated against swine flu.
*Last week Sen. Cornyn sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius expressing serious concern about the unacceptable delays and shortages in distributing the vaccine for H1N1 which is widespread in 46 states and has been linked to thousands of deaths. Texas was expected to receive 3.4 million doses of the vaccine in October but as of last week Texas had not yet received 1 million doses. In the letter Sen. Cornyn urged the agency to devote its full attention to quickly addressing these issues. A copy of Sen. Cornyns letter is attached.
