In sum, proponents of nationwide immunization are seriously considering the mere possibility of a pandemic, and the fact that the unknown viruses that struck some of the athletes were indeed the avian influenza virus. According to them, a probability that is greater than zero has to be assumed and government expenditure should be less of a consideration than the possible unnecessary deaths that might result.
Stockpiling was considered to be out of the question because infection produces disease faster than immunity. Meanwhile, proponents of stockpiling are not necessarily opposed to the idea of nationwide immunization as long as there is enough evidence that can be gathered to support such movement. For them, until such evidence can be shown, the government should instead resort to stockpiling. In the end, no further death was reported other than the Mid-Western University athlete.
This gives weight to the arguments of the proponents of stockpiling, that there really was no threat to justify the magnitude of the program and the necessary expenditures associated with it. Three types of characters play a significant role in the results of the case: 1) public officials; 2) the lobbyists; 3) the opposition. The public officials are constituted by the Congress, the President and his subordinates and agencies.
Among the agencies, the Federal Infections Disease Agency should be specifically mentioned, particulary its head, Dr. Traister for it significant contribution in the outcome of the case. Just two weeks after the release of an opinion in a newspaper regarding a historical pandemic that involved the same virus as in this case, it was Traister who was quick to react by proposing an action that allowed immediate distribution of vaccines to health care centers after purchase and tests.
The recommendation was based on the mere supposition that there was a possibility of a pandemic, and that the unknown virus that was contracted by the students of Mid-Athlantic University was indeed, the Avian flu virus. The intention of Traister was clear as points were presented using a set of assumptions which applicability to the case remained questionable. Facts were presented in a way that would convey a sense of urgency and would understandably behoove the rest of the hierarchy to seriously consider the proposal, regardless of what doubt it may have created.
In this sense, Traister appeared to have successfully manipulated the rest of the officials to consider the proposal that would undoubtedly put him in the limelight. The fact that the propositions were made based on mere suppositions and that no new case had been reported both inside and outside the United States showed that the Traister’s action was premature, if not self-serving.