Throughout 2009, the world was plagued with the H1N1 swine flu epidemic. The H1N1 influenza virus, which began in Mexico, spread rapidly. In June, the World Health Organization (WHO)

declared it to be a global pandemic.

Those who caught the virus suffered from chills, fever, headaches, coughing, pain, weakness, and general discomfort.

At the extreme, it could kill, and thousands around the world died from the disease. In order to minimize the chances of catching swine flu, WHO recommended that everyone be inoculated against the disease. However, there was not enough vaccine available, so a priority system had to be established. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta recommended that those who were at greater risk be inoculated first. Priority would be given to pregnant women, caregivers of young children, health care and emergency medical service personnel, and people from six months to twenty-four years of age. The elderly were excluded because the risks of contracting the disease for people over age sixty-five were less than for the younger age-groups.

Although many people chose not to receive the vaccine, the line ups of those who wanted to be inoculated were often hours long. Sometimes people waited all day, only to be told at the end of the day that the supply of the vaccine had run out.

On November 2, 2009, BusinessWeek reported that Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, and a number of other large employers in New York City were given the vaccine to distribute. Although these companies were to follow the CDC priority group guidelines, there was the appearance that these employees were line jumping, especially after it was revealed that Goldman Sachs received as many doses as the Lennox Hill Hospital in New York City.

At the same time, in Canada, it was reported that many of the Calgary Flames hockey players, along with their families, the coaching staff, and management, had received the swine flu vaccine. None of these people were in the priority group.

Questions:-

1. From a utilitarian point of view, who do you think should be in the priority group?
2. From a justice as fairness perspective, who should be in the priority group?
3. Should people who make society flourish through their economic productivity, such as the employees of Goldman Sachs, be put into the priority group?
4. Should people who contribute tomaking life enjoyable, such as entertainers and athletes, be put into the priority group?
5. If you were the CEO of the company that manufactured the swine flu vaccine, would you ensure that all your employees were inoculated first, or would you recommend that they too wait in line?