nine months to manufacture, there is no time to change the batch midstream to fight a new strain if the bird flu does indeed mutate and multiply. That problem aside, we believe a steady rollout of flu shots this fall and winter would go a long way toward combatting future flu-fighting threats and would help in getting a delivery plan in place for a bird-flu vaccine.

To that end, flu vaccines must become more available to more people, starting with those over 65 and continuing with at-risk populations and all others. Like any government service, the CDC must broaden contracts to include more manufacturers. This will build trust in the CDC and the federal government's efforts, something President Bush is trying desperately to do.

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