Will regular flu shots protect against bird flu?

This from Dr. Julie Gerberding, Director, Centers for Disease Control:

Darleen, from Crystal Lake, IL writes:
I am wondering how to protect myself and my family. Will taking the flu shot that is being given out right now protect or help protect against the bird flu? Also, would taking the pneumonia shot that is available right now protect or help protect dying from the bird flu? If so, are there any particular risks of these shots that we should know of so that we can make an informed decision?

Dr. Julie Gerberding
Right now, Americans are not at risk for pandemic avian influenza and there is no need for vaccination against that virus. However, regular seasonal flu is here in America and we are encouraging Americans to get their regular flu shot. The flu shot that we are offering this year does not protect against the avian strain, but it’s very important that people at risk for flu complications get their flu shots this year because it will protect them.

Overall, this year, we have a good supply of flu shots. We are not expecting any shortages......(emphasis added)

So, the answer is NO. Unfortunately.

Dr. Gerberding goes to to state that:
1. The Government is "investing in our abilities to detect emerging pandemic influenza wherever it occurs."
2. "We’re investing in the development of vaccines and anti-viral drugs."
3. "We’re working with people, families, local and state governments, as well as the federal government to ensure that we have a seamless network of protection for everyone in our country."

If course, they told us this about FEMA and then Katrina happened. Ask those people living in the Houston Astrodome about the "seamless network of protection for everyone in our country." I assume it is a network of protection for Bush, his cronies, and his campaign supporters.

But, there IS a treatment for flu, Bird or otherwise. It is Tamiflu. But, as usual, there is a catch:

Tamiflu is made from shikimic acid but until recently there was only one significant source of supply. The acid was extracted from the seeds of the star anice plant, which for centuries has been used in flavouring oriental cooking. The entire world crop of star anice comes from just four provinces in China, and it's only harvested in three months of the year.

Shortage of star anice would have been a major constraint on increasing production of Tamiflu, except that a few months ago a way was found of making shikimic acid artificially. Roche now derives some of the raw material it needs from fermenting e-coli bacteria. Other drug companies can copy this - but it won't be easy and it won't be quick. Every batch of Tamiflu takes a year to make - and at one of the ten stages the material is highly explosive.
Roche now says its willing to let other drug companies manufacture Tamiflu, but even if this does happen soon it will certainly be months, and possibly years, before stocks are big enough to meet potential demand in the event of a bird flu pandemic in humans.
Mark Gregory, BBC business reporter (emphasis added)