Another jab at the common man: Financial workers get vaccine preference

It's all about prioritiesWhen it comes to receiving doses of swine flu vaccine, Wall Street appears to outrank pregnant women and children.

That bit of news, which I heard this morning on the Today Show, got under my skin. And I'm not the only one.

So, what's the deal? Why should some investment banker at Goldman Sachs get the flu shot first while hundreds of at-risk pregnant women have to wait in line for hours to get vaccinated?

Here's the story from the Associated Press that explains the situation. According to the story, some of New York City's largest employers -- including Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, the Federal Reserve Bank, and Columbia University -- are among the first to receive doses of the swine flu vaccine.

It's an interesting situation because there are limited amounts of the vaccine, and decisions are being made to prioritize who gets to be first in line.

According to the story, doctors for company health services can ask for the vaccine along with other doctors in the New York metro area. They can only vaccinate high-risk employees like pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses.

Each state decides how to distribute its share of the vaccine. Health officials say those at high risk for complications should get the vaccine first.

Now, it makes me wonder whether professional ballplayers with the Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies were deemed "high risk" and got doses. What would have happened to tv ratings for the World Series had players been in sick bay?

Hard to imagine A-Rod or Derek, or any professional athlete having to wait in line.