By Baird Helgeson
What? Terrorism suspects at Guantanamo Bay could get H1N1 vaccines before Minnesota children and pregnant women?
Not without opposition from Minnesota U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen.
Paulsen, a Republican, sent a letter today to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Secretary of the U.S. Army John McHugh expressing opposition to reports that detainees being held at Guantanamo Bay naval base will soon be offered H1N1 vaccinations.
"It is entirely unacceptable to make this vaccine available to detainees while millions of law-abiding Americans are forced to wait in line," he wrote.
Paulsen noted:
- The Minnesota Department of Health has confirmed 12 deaths as a result of H1N1.
- More than 900 people have been hospitalized since the virus was identified in the state.
- Park Nicollet Health Services became so overwhelmed by callers seeking vaccinations that the clinic had to "turn away many Minnesotans seeking the vaccine."
"I was extremely disappointed to learn that detainees currently being held at Guantanamo Bay will soon be offered H1N1 vaccination, while high-risk priority groups such as pregnant women and children in Minnesota and across the nation continue to wait for this vaccine," he wrote.
Paulsen said he is waiting for a response.
