Yesterday, CREW asked why Wall Street firms are receiving H1N1 vaccines before at-risk groups are. That inquiry set off a firestorm. Here's the report from the Los Angeles Times:

Citizens' groups have criticized federal and state authorities in recent days for failing to distribute the vaccine fairly.

"Why is it that so many Americans have had to wait in line and then been denied the vaccine, and others can just walk in and get it?" said Melanie Sloan, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. "People might die because people at a lower risk got the vaccine instead. How does some rich 50-year-old banker at Goldman Sachs get a vaccine that a pregnant woman or a healthcare worker in Los Angeles can't get?"

New York City health officials have had to defend the distribution of H1N1 vaccines there after reports that Wall Street firms were among the first to receive shipments.

Vaccines are supposed to be directed to five priority groups: pregnant women, people ages 2 to 24, healthcare workers, caregivers of babies under 6 months old, and those ages 25 to 64 with chronic health conditions that put them at increased risk of complications from the flu.

And, this from BarbinMD at DailyKos:

Anyone else find it hard to believe that Citigroup and Goldman Sachs are employing 1,400 "pregnant women, infants and children, young adults up to 24 years old, and healthcare workers"?

Wall Street wins out over Main Street once again. Whoever made this decision should be fired. Now.

Outrageous.

Today, CREW called on Health and Human Service (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to investigate why the Center for Disease Control (CDC) approved the distribution of the H1NI vaccine to Wall Street firms at a time when the vaccine is unavailable to most Americans.

Recent news reports indicate 13 companies, including Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase and Time Warner, have been cleared to receive the vaccine.

The CDC is distributing the much sought-after vaccine to Wall Street firms despite reports of vast shortages. In fact, just yesterday CDC Director Thomas Frieden informed Congress that only 32.3 million doses are available, far less than the 159 million needed to cover those at the highest risk. Given the scarce supply, the CDC has recommended the vaccine be directed only to those at highest risk: pregnant women, infants and children and those up to 24 years, those who care for infants, health and emergency services personnel, and adults with compromised immune systems or other chronic health problems.

Melanie Sloan, CREW’s executive director, said,

Although CREW has been unable to uncover the demographic makeup of Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, and JP Morgan Chase, it seems safe to assume the vast majority of their employees are not pregnant women, infants and children, young adults up to 24 years old, and healthcare workers.

State officials are also concerned about the shortages:

This situation is echoed around the country, leaving most of those seeking the vaccine unable to receive it with no remedy in sight. Frieden admitted, “It is quite likely the current wave of influenza will peak, crest and begin to decline before there are ample supplies of the vaccine.”

And Wall Street firms are getting preferential treatment.

Sloan continued,

In what world do Wall Street employees deserve to be vaccinated ahead of high-risk children, pregnant women and health care workers? Unfortunately, for the thousands being turned away in clinics across America, the CDC has decided to prioritize the millionaires over the masses. The public has a right to know how and why this has happened and when it will stop. First, the bailout, then the bonuses, now the vaccine. When will Washington start putting the needs of Main Street above those of Wall Street?”

Click here to read CREW's letter to HHS.