Houston Politicos Tie Free Flu Shots to Voting

City planned to offer free flu shots at voting locations in poor neighborhoods during early election and on election day:

Republicans accused Houston Mayor Bill White of voter fraud by offering to provide free flu vaccinations to voters in select polling locations during early voting and Election Day.

According to the program supported by the city of Houston and a grant from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, if someone is fifty years or older, they could go to select voting locations and receive a free flu vaccination.

Jared Woodfill, Chairman of the Harris County Republican Party, which includes Houston, said, "On the surface, Bill White's plan sounds seems fine. We all want to make sure citizens have proper medical care. However, when one takes a closer look, you will see that these locations have been strategically placed in heavy Democrat voting areas, and the offer only takes place during early voting and on Election Day. How is it that all locations are strategically placed in heavy Democrat voting locations?"

Porfirio Villarreal, a spokesman for the city's health department told the Houston Chronicle, "'Vote and Vaccination' clinics are in Hispanic and black neighborhoods because studies show these ethnic groups are less likely to get flu shots."

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But Woodfill claimed that the city is violating Texas law that prohibits any benefit or consideration in exchange for a vote.

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Mayor White later held a press conference and explained that the vaccination program will be discontinued in its current form due to his concern of the cost of lawsuits. "It's unfortunate that we will be placed in a position where we could lose tax dollars by putting on an event designed to provide an important service to the people of Houston ... an event put on by the same public officials who have helped to improve immunizations," White said.

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