WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Scarce doses of H1N1 vaccine were given to U.S. corporations while doctors and hospitals elsewhere encountered shortages, data indicates.

In October and early November, when there were widespread shortages of the anti-H1N1 virus vaccine, health officials in three states were distributing thousands of doses to corporate clinics at Walt Disney World, Toyota, defense contractors, oil companies and cruise lines, USA Today reported Tuesday.


The newspaper said the distribution patterns were revealed when it examined health department records in Florida, Texas and Georgia. It followed an outcry produced by revelations that Wall Street firms such as Goldman Sachs were receiving doses of vaccine while others went begging.

USA Today said the data indicated some early supplies of the vaccine went to groups not considered at the highest risk -- such as pregnant women, chronic health conditions sufferers, hospital workers and young people.

Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., told the newspaper: "The question we have to ask on these corporate ones is: Did at-risk people receive the doses? Or was corporate America buying their way out of an illness? You've almost got to look at them on a case-by-case basis."

State officials said corporate clout played no roles in their vaccine distribution decisions.