Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Last night, while entertaining friends, I received an urgent call labeled code red from an Island-based public agency. The purpose was to inform me of a free flu shot. My first thought was that maybe a major massacre had occurred on the Island when they announced it was a code red emergency. I don’t think the term code red emergency should be used for something like flu shots. In fact, many believe flu shots are not only ineffective but the serum also contains Thimerosal, a mercury-based additive that is controversial. I am not suggesting the flu shot is a bad choice, but using a code red alarm for this type of occurrence greatly diminishes the credibility of the term code red. Next time I get a code red call, I may simply allow my answering machine to take that call.

Paul Adler, West Tisbury