Thank the federal government for once

Having passed another influenza season, it is time to consider why the disease was so mild this year.

We experienced mild illness from the seasonal flu strains. We avoided any serious outbreak of the highly contagious and dangerous H1N1 (swine) flu. A threat of major sickness was facing DuPage County, Illinois and our nation, but the disease was suppressed due to a concentrated effort by the federal government.

The central government in Washington D.C. marshaled the resources of private industry to manufacture sufficient quantities of H1N1 flu vaccines. The federal government planned and executed flawlessly the distribution of these vaccines to all 50 states.

Only the federal government is capable of administering such a massive effort. No state or local government could manage the complex relations between private industry, foreign governments and 50 states needed to produce, market and issue the vaccines to 300 million Americans.

The federal government had the resources and thank goodness the willingness and foresight to inform the American people of the importance of getting flu vaccinations. Next time you have an opportunity, write to your U.S. Senator and representative and thank him or her for their wisdom in funding and staffing the federal government agencies with bright and resourceful people.

Tom Teune

Wheaton