In a letter to the
Attorney General he says manufacturers have been “less
than truthful”
State Senator Kevin Witkos, R-Canton,
today sent a letter to State Attorney General
Richard Blumenthal calling upon him to commence
an investigation into the procurement and receivership
of flu vaccines in Connecticut. According to Sen. Witkos,
local residents, including many seniors, are having
difficulty finding a location that will provide the
seasonal flu vaccine.
Sen. Witkos was told that one of the reasons for the
shortage is the decision of manufactures to produce
more H1N1 vaccines. He said that his local clinic operated
by the Farmington Valley Visiting Nurse Association
(VNA) usually provides between 4000 to 6000 doses of
the seasonal flu vaccine to residents and ill homebound
patients. This year’s allotment was ordered in
excess of 4,300 doses; to date approximately 1,300 have
been received.
“As the fall season passes, many of our most
fragile citizens, especially our senior population,
make a point to stop at their local clinic for their
annual flu shot vaccination. This year, residents found
a ‘closed for business’ sign hanging on
the door if they were not first in line,”
said Sen. Witkos. “I think people need
an explanation as to why this is, and detailed information
as to where they can get access to the vaccine.”
In his letter, Sen. Witkos said it is troubling that
because of the shortage Non-profits and VNA’s
have had to turn away thousands of patients who would
have normally received the vaccination from their clinics
(including emergency public safety personnel); meanwhile
larger national “for-profit” facilities
are receiving their vaccines without delay. He said
that a local VNA representative told him that they questioned
one of the distributors and were told that it was simply
a business decision.
“As a member of the Public Health Committee,
I am aghast and outraged that deep pockets command these
decisions. Distributors should be required to uphold
their agreed upon commitment to the VNA’s and
non profits,” said Sen. Witkos.
“It is my belief that the manufacturers have been
less than truthful to our healthcare providers and need
to be held responsible.”
For further information please contact John Titsworth
at 860-240-8843 or 860-877-3543
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