December 14, 1980 CDC

During the early 70’s there had been a problem with the vaccine that had been used to inoculate babies against Diphtheria, Whooping Cough and Tetanus, called DPT. There had been a marked increase in the adverse reactions to the shot; most minor but a few babies had serious complications. The CDC saw the increase and with the aid of the surgeon general, a bill was passed to fund research into providing a more comprehensive vaccine, a single one that would protect against nearly all childhood diseases. That goal was attained. In a tube in the lab was a mixture of the virus from the seven most serious childhood threats. These had been used to prepare vaccines for testing. Now that testing was complete and the vaccine was ready to be placed in production.

Unlike previous vaccines, this one had been developed using federal money and no manufacturer held any control over it. They could produce it and sell it without folding development costs into the product or paying royalties. The vaccine would be cheap; affordable was the word the surgeon general preferred to use. The modest cost would bring one more health advantage within the reach of most Americans.

Within six weeks, the first of the vaccine would be available for use. There were critics who clamored for more testing, beyond the five years that had already gone by. Alpha Four would soon be saving lives all over the country.

April 19, 2003 Washington DC

Stan and the others were quartered at the White House. They were awakened at about 9 AM. A dinning room area was blocked off for them to eat together. They had been cautioned not to discuss the problem when people outside the group were present.

The remainder of the day was spent in a conference room of the White House. Stan was appalled at the direction of the discussion but was unable to provide alternatives. This could tear the country apart. The president would address the nation at 7 PM and the group in this room would be his backup for questions. It was a diverse group, including two pathologists, several OB/GYN’s, and several other medical specialties. In addition, there were several legal types, two of them experts in constitutional law. The medical experts determined the course of action while the lawyers determined what could be done within the law and what steps would be necessary to implement it. Stan had never had much respect for lawyers, his primary contact with them had been from the perspective of a witness. But these men seemed to be a cut above his experience. The president had attended several sessions, listening and watching. He was particularly impressed with Joan but didn’t mention it at the time.