The production of swine flu vaccine is behind schedule, a result of a manufacturing process that took longer than expected. This would not have mattered if the Food and Drug Administration had given up its belt-and-suspenders supercaution - a fearfulness not limited to the FDA, but one that hobbles American life in many areas.

The vaccine contains no adjuvants, compounds that stimulate the immune system and thus boost the potency of the vaccine. Adjuvants are used in Europe without harm. A European dose of the vaccine is 3.75 micrograms; the U.S. dose is 15 micrograms.