How Much Is That (Anti-) Universal Flu Shot Going To Cost You?

TheCo-OptationOfEverything
PrivatizationVille


Well.

Apparently, if you live in Toronto, it's cheap to jump the queue if you're rich.

Just a cool $2300, Valet parking included:

While public health units across the country are facing severe shortages of the swine flu vaccine and long lineups, a private clinic in the city is offering its members the shot, so long as long as they're deemed to be in a high-risk group.

The office of Medcan Clinic, on York St. in Toronto's financial district, has received a shipment of the H1N1 vaccine from Toronto Public Health. It's available to the clinic's clientele for free, provided they're found to be in one of the high-risk groups who are being immunized first.

However, to be added to the clinic's list of 13,000 clients requires undergoing a "comprehensive assessment." That costs $2,300 and is not covered by OHIP.....

So.

Would this be a good time to explain to folks why we have a deal, and, more importantly, who paid for that deal, with Glaxo-Smith Kline to first produce enough vaccine for ALL high risk Canadians and then enough for, well.....

Everyone!!!!

_____
Hint: It was most definitely NOT the owners and/or shareholders of private, for-profit, cash-exclusive, private clinics.....OK?

.