A single line often inverts meaning once you see what it
answers, so neighbouring messages are always shown.
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Oct. 28-29, 2009 - Press is jumping all over HHS for delay in vaccine distribution. Front page stuff and all networks. They are calling it "Obama's Katrina".
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Nov. 3, 2009 - I continue to be all over the press - last night CBS Evening News; today CBS Morning News to explain the complex issues of why we do not have a lot of vaccine at hand - the virus just is not growing very well in eggs and much against my advice, HHS (BARDA, Jenny Backus) promised that we would have a certain number of doses and now we do not. They relied on and believed the projections from the pharmaceutical companies when I told them not to. They wanted to give a crisp message (they were still in campaign mode) and I told them not to. Now, everyone looks to me for what to do and they are putting me out on all of the shows. Actually NIAID is the only one giving good news sine our pregnancy trials and pediatric trials are giving good data - only 1 dose of 15 ugs for pregnant women is required for robust response and we proved that 1 dose for older kids (10 - 17 years) is good and 2 doses for younger kids (6 months to 9 years is required). I announced this at a press briefing at HHS yesterday. This is in conflict with WHO who say that we should give 1 dose to all kids.
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Nov. 4, 2009 - Major House Appropriations briefing/Hearing chaired by David Obey. Witness - me, Tom Frieden (CDC), Niki Lurie (ASPR) and health commissioner from Alabama and ?. Tough questions by members and staff regarding availability of vaccines. I came out looking good, but it was a intense hearing. Next day (Nov. 5) big picture of me on page 3 of both the Washington Post and the NY Times.
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Nov. 5, 2009 - Image and message issues continue to deteriorate when it was announced today that workers from Goldman Sachs, Citibank and other Wall Street firms had gotten lid220 H1N1 vaccine as pregnant women wait in line. The CDC is being blamed since they are responsible ultimately for distribution. In fact, CDC takes orders from States and locals and then distributes the vaccines through a contract with McKesson Corp, which sends to over 150,000 distribution sites within the states according to how the cities and states decide to distribute based on their best judgment. Since the Wall Street firms have large clinics, they can easily distribute vaccine to their pregnant employees and those with underlying conditions. It was Mayor Bloomberg's choice, but the image did not look good and the CDC took flak for it. Still getting massive (couple of times daily) media exposure. Media interest paused for a few days due to the terrible tragedy at Fort Hood (Texas) army base where a crazed Army MD psychiatrist who trained at USUHS and Walter Reed and is a Muslim (born in USA) went on a shooting rampage and killed 13 and wounded 30 soldiers getting ready to deploy to Afghanistan. Am extremely busy and very fatigued!
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2009-11-10 00:00
Anthony S. Fauci
Nov. 10, 2009 - CDC and HHS still getting hammered by the press because of the delay in availability of vaccine. Press frenzy continues. I am coming across relatively unscathed because of my long-standing credibility. Briefed the editorial board of the Washington Times yesterday and today my picture was on the front page of the Washington Times. Also, continue on TV and NPR.
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Nov. 11, 2009 - Pressure and press frenzy continues. Hurricane Ida flooding the midAtlantic. Been raining here with no real hurricane for days. Pre-taped the "Power Player" segment for FOX News that will show on Sunday - 11-15-09. Dinner at Richard Ben-Veniste and Donna grill's home. Present were: Gerry and Ellen Sigal, and 2 friends of Richard's and Donna from LA. Terry and Denise - environmentalists.
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Nov. 12, 2009 - Two day of Science Management Working Group (SMWG) of which I am a member of the Intramural and Clinical Center Subcommittee. This evolved out of the NIH Reauthorization Act of 2006 to look at the structure and function of the NIH. Chaired by Norman Augustine. On MSNBC and Fox News today.
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Nov. 13, 2009 - More of the same. Things getting very testy with the press and the Republicans blasting the Administration as having another "Katrina" with the H1N1 flu. Still long lines and contradictory issues of 1⁄2 people do not want to vaccine because that think it is not safe and 1⁄2 are waiting on line for it. Lose-lose from a PR standpoint. Picture on page B1 of the Post (Metro Section) for the NIH-DC AIDS initiative. On NBC Nightly News. Nice dinner at Ambassador Nancy Brinker's home (Ritz-Carlton Apartments in Georgetown in honor of Mark Dybul. Nancy was Chief of White House protocol under Pres. George W. Bush. Beautiful Apartment overlooking Georgetown and the Potomac S at the National Press River. About 16 people. Nancy is the President /Director of the Susan G. Komen Institute named after her sister who died of breast cancer. Nancy is now interested in Global Health, particularly cancers (breast mostly) in women in developing countries. Interesting guests. I particularly liked speaking with Kathleen Parker, syndicated columnist and frequent Sunday News Show commentator and guest. Also, there were Pamela Stevens (former White House Press person) and other global health people.
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Nov. 14, 2009 - Presented my NIAID "update" to the Board of the AAAAI at the Hyatt Capitol Hill. Ali's NCS Cross Country Team wins the Maryland State Championship. Ali is one of the Senior Captains of the Varsity of which she is one of the starting 7.