Scotty McClellan on Congress and the flu vaccine:
Q What kind of message does it send -- I noticed in The Post today, the article about the doctors on the Hill urging members to get their flu shot when the President says he's not getting it, and urging healthy Americans not to, that our congressional and Senate leaders are being told to get it?
MR. McCLELLAN: The White House is following the CDC guidelines. It's my understanding that the entire executive branch is following the guidelines put out by the CDC. The President --
Q What are they?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, that the vaccine should be going to those who are most vulnerable, our seniors and our children below a certain age. And that's what the President believes, and that's what Secretary Thompson has been talking about along with Julie Gerberding and Dr. Fauci. And so the President believes that that's where the focus should be and that's where those -- those who don't need it should not be getting the vaccine. We had a manufacturing problem.
Q What about --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, you heard the President. He said, I -- he said he's not going to get one this year because he doesn't fall into the category.
Q That wasn't the question.
MR. McCLELLAN: Hang on. Hang on. I'm talking. He -- the President -- the CDC set out clear guidelines for who falls in the most vulnerable population that ought to be getting the vaccines that we have. And this administration took the lead to make sure that we were taking strong steps when it comes to flu preparedness. That's why we stockpiled antiviral medicines for those who do get sick. That's why we increased funding from less that $40 million to, in the '05 budget, more than $280 million for flu preparedness. And we had a manufacturing problem. And that's why the administration is prioritizing who should get those vaccines. And the President believes that those who don't need the vaccine should not be getting them.
Q Do we have enough vaccine?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, Secretary Thompson actually talked about that. He believes -- Secretary Thompson believes that we do. We're working to get additional vaccines, as well; in discussions with others to get additional vaccines. But we already have, I think it's 35 million vaccines that are available. I think there are more than 10 to 14, 15 million, I think, on the way. And he does believe there are enough there for those who are in that most vulnerable population.
Q Does the White House think members of Congress should get the flu vaccine, yes or no?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think I just stated the President's view --
Q Not on that question --
MR. McCLELLAN: -- that those who fall in the categories as defined by the CDC guidelines are the ones who ought to be getting the vaccines, and others who do not, should not be getting the vaccine.
Q So are you saying that the White House believes that healthy members of Congress should not get the flu vaccine? Can we report that?
MR. McCLELLAN: I stated our view. I think it's more broadly than that. I'm talking broadly about the entire population in America, in the President's view. And that's why he -- he stated that the other day.
Q So you won't respond to whether they should get it or not?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm talking about the entire population in America, that the vaccines ought to go to those that are -- that are defined in the CDC guidelines.
Q Should members of Congress live by the CDC guidelines?
MR. McCLELLAN: We think everybody should follow the CDC guidelines. And if you -- if you meet those guidelines, everybody -- that's everybody, Ron.
Q Why won't you say it includes Congress?
MR. McCLELLAN: I said, everybody, and so I did answer your question.
Q So we can -- we can write that --
MR. McCLELLAN: You can ask the question a million times. I said, everybody.
Q Can we report that the President wants members of Congress who are healthy not to have the flu vaccine?
MR. McCLELLAN: The President believes that those who the CDC defines as the most vulnerable ought to be the ones who get the vaccines, and those who don't fall in that criteria should not get the vaccines.
Q I have a barrel of monkeys. Some of the monkeys are wearing blue fezzes, and some of the monkeys are wearing red fezzes. Are my monkeys cute?
Mr. McClellan: Yes, your monkeys are cute.
Q: All my monkeys?
Mr. M: All monkeys are cute.
Q: Including my monkeys?
MM: Yes.
Q: All of my monkeys?
Eminem: Yes.
Q: Are the monkeys with the blue fezzes cute?
SM: I think I've answered your question.
Q: You said all my monkeys were cute-
S&M: Yes.
Q:-but that wasn't my question. Are you willing to say that the monkeys with the blue fezzes are cute?
Shmoo: Monkeys are cute. That's what I'm saying.
Q: The ones with the blue fezzes?
Scom: Monkeys-
Q: the ones with the blue fezzes are monkeys-
Screw Me: Our position is that monkeys are cute.
Q: WHY WON'T YOU SAY THAT MONKEYS WITH BLUE FEZZES ARE CUTE?
Sketchy McLugNut: I don't know, it's crazy ain't it?
Posted by monk at 22.10.04 12:34