Flames Take Heat For Getting H1N1 Vaccinations Ahead Of Public
 |
Flames President Defends Players, Says
They Followed Organization's Direction |
The Flames "went into a defensive shell Tuesday in the face of an all-out attack from detractors who wanted to know why the NHL team got special H1N1 vaccinations while millions of Canadians have had to stand in line for hours waiting for theirs," according to Allan Maki of the GLOBE & MAIL. The Flames and their family members were "inoculated at a special clinic last Friday," and the team "released a statement and answered questions but never acknowledged any wrongdoing." Alberta Health Services Senior VP/Communications Roman Cooney said that the "special clinic approved by 'staff' for hockey players and their families 'should not have happened.'" Flames RW Jarome Iginla said that the players "didn't believe, or even realize, they were cutting in front of those who may have been in high-risk groups in need of the vaccination." Flames President & CEO Ken King was "adamant in his defence of the players." King: "They followed the direction of our physicians, they followed the organization's direction." He added that the "situation concerning the availability of the swine flu shots changed between Friday and Tuesday and noted that if the team had asked Alberta Health Service for the shots 72 hours ago it would have been declined." King: "I think we would be declined, not because of the backlash but because of the change in the need-based distribution program." Maki notes the Flames are "believed to be the only Canadian NHL team to have received vaccinations" (GLOBE & MAIL, 11/4).
FLAMES TO BLAME? In Calgary, Eric Francis writes the "reality is no one with the Flames organization is to blame." While it was "undoubtedly a poor public-relations move based on the optics of it all, it wasn't a bad decision." By "securing the vaccines the club managed to best protect its most important assets." What is "critically important to remember in all this is the players were inoculated Friday when clinics were still open," and it would be a "radically different story if the Flames were vaccinated yesterday while clinics were closed" (CALGARY SUN, 11/4). But also in Calgary, Rick Bell writes "one reality is painfully obvious." Flames officials "do not see a problem" and "do not get it." They "probably figure some stunt of sending players to sign a few autographs will make everything better or they can rely on unquestioning hero worship" (CALGARY SUN, 11/4).
|
Related Stories By Company
|
Related Stories By Sport
|
Maple Leafs, Raptors Receive H1N1 Vaccine
November 5, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Pengrowth May Give Up Naming Rights
September 21, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Flames Looking To Build New Arena
September 3, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Fenway Announced As Winter Classic Home
July 16, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Canadiens Game At Olympic Stadium Likely
June 26, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
Hicks Loaned $85M To HSG To Help With Debt
February 9, 2010 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Jeff Vinik's Lightning Deal Worth $110M
February 8, 2010 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Bettman Addresses Thrashers' Struggles
February 8, 2010 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Jeffrey Vinik Agrees To Purchase Lightning
February 5, 2010 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Hicks Hires Galatioto To Study Sale Of Stars
February 5, 2010 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
|
