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OAN Newsoom
UPDATE FROM 10:15 AM PST – Friday, September 20, 2019
President Trump is taking aggressive action to prevent Americans from getting the flu. The commander-in-chief on Thursday signed a decree aimed at intensifying research on ways to end the multiple strains of influenza.
The pressure to fight deadly viruses has intensified in recent weeks after White House officials said a major flu pandemic could cost the country $ 3.8 billion and threaten the country. lives of thousands of Americans. Officials said the estimated price resulted from a loss of productivity of workers who became ill or died.
Although there are influenza vaccines, it sometimes happens that unexpected strains appear, such as swine flu, in 2009.
DOSSIER – In this archive photo, a sign telling clients that they can get flu shot at a Walgreen store is seen in Indianapolis, Indiana. (AP Photo / Darron Cummings, File)
"Every year, we make new vaccines and even if we administer them, the influenza virus is changing. Thus, at the beginning of the influenza season, the vaccine could work very well. At the end of the influenza season, it may not work very well. "
– Gregory Poland, M.D. – Mayo Clinic Vaccine Research Group
The renewed focus on vaccines has, however, diverted attention from another health decree that the president adopted in June. The new rule now requires hospitals to increase the transparency of health care costs, which, according to the president, will help lower the price of prescription drugs, such as those that could cure the flu.
"For decades, powerful insurance companies, lobbyists and special interest groups have been denying the real cost of the health services they provide, it's so simple," said President Trump.
Although the root of the problem may be simple, the president may face increased opposition as he tries to change some features of the country's health system to make it more malleable.
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