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Shot in the Dark

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photoWhen people in America line up in the pre-dawn hours, it is usually associated with rock concerts or playoff tickets. These days, another event has been added to that list: flu shots.

Ever since the United States lost nearly half of its expected flu vaccines for this year's season, Americans, most of them elderly, have been standing in long lines to get flu shots. Many are going home without one.

Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson says, "We want people to relax" and that there will be enough flu vaccine for most people who need it. But Democrats say the Bush administration has ignored the vaccine crisis and is to blame.

Guests:

Julie Rovner, health policy correspondent, NPR

Dr. William Schaffner, Chairman of the Department of Preventive Medicine and Professor of Infectious Diseases in the Department of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Katharine Greider, author of "The Big Fix: How the Pharmaceutical Industry Rips Off American Consumers"

Dr. Harold Mirsky, clinical oncologist, unable to get flu shots for his high-risk patients

This program aired on October 19, 2004.

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