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While President Ford is eulogized today, I thought it appropriate that we talk about his decisions and that of his administration during the Swine Flu issue. Those who have read Dr. Fineberg's book on the 1976 flu crisis should take note of Ford's decision to go forward to manufacture enough vaccine for the entire US population. His decision was the best one he could make, especially in light of the options he was given. Now we know the surveillance was not good enough to make that decision, which public health professionals have worked to improve since that time. I wonder how much of today's emphasis on influenza surveillance and detection is a result of the lack of choices given him back in 1976?
When faced with rare agreement from Drs. Kilbourne, Salk AND Sabin, Ford made the only choice he was left with. And he paid a political price for that decision. But Ford erred on the side of the American people, putting their interests at the top of the list. He listened and acted with their interests at heart.
Gerald Ford was the first president who had to make tough choices regarding preparing for the real possibility of a pandemic, as opposed to actually having to manage the effects of one. His decisions -- and the analysis of same in Fineberg's book and public policy college courses -- are valuable, especially today.
When faced with rare agreement from Drs. Kilbourne, Salk AND Sabin, Ford made the only choice he was left with. And he paid a political price for that decision. But Ford erred on the side of the American people, putting their interests at the top of the list. He listened and acted with their interests at heart.
Gerald Ford was the first president who had to make tough choices regarding preparing for the real possibility of a pandemic, as opposed to actually having to manage the effects of one. His decisions -- and the analysis of same in Fineberg's book and public policy college courses -- are valuable, especially today.
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