WASHINGTON -Some members of Ohio's congressional delegation received flu shots this year, despite the vaccine shortage, while others have pledged to forgo the vaccine.
New federal guidelines encourage people over the age of 65 and very young children to get a flu shot, but Capitol physician John Eisold recommended that all lawmakers be vaccinated because they spend time visiting retirement homes, holding babies and shaking hands.
At least one Ohio lawmaker listened to Eisold. Rep. John Boehner, a West Chester Republican, got his shot on Oct. 7, two days after the shortage was announced.
He gets a flu shot every year
spokesman Steve Forde said. He was following his doctor's recommendation.
President Bush said he would forgo a flu shot this year because of the shortage, and at least six Ohio congressmen also planned to skip the shot.
I won't get a flu shot and neither will anyone on my staff said Rep. Steve LaTourette, R-Madison.
The attending physician may have genuine concerns about our health
but he'd be far wiser to give us all a little bottle of Purell and donate our flu shots to seniors
pregnant women
children and others at high risk for the flu.
Republican Reps. Mike Oxley of Findlay and Steve Chabot of Cincinnati, and Democratic Reps. Sherrod Brown of Lorain, Ted Strickland of Lisbon and Tim Ryan of Niles also have said they will not get a shot.
Lawmakers who already have been vaccinated include 68-year-old Sen. George Voinovich of Cleveland and 80-year-old Rep. Ralph Regula of Navarre. Sen. Mike DeWine of Cedarville got a flu shot because he has severe asthma, spokeswoman Amanda Flaig said.
Republican Reps. Pat Tiberi of Columbus and Deborah Pryce of Upper Arlington, and Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Toledo all got their flu shots during annual physicals that were held before the shortage was discovered.
British regulators unexpectedly shut down a major U.S. supplier, Chiron Corp., and halted shipment of about 48 million doses after the company reported possible contamination.
Between vaccines and antiviral drugs, enough medicine will be available to treat 100 million people this flu season, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said Wednesday.
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