[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 11 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 11

  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that oversight 
    hearings should be held immediately to determine the causes and 
     outcomes surrounding this influenza season's vaccine shortage.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 3, 2001

 Mr. Condit submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                  the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that oversight 
    hearings should be held immediately to determine the causes and 
     outcomes surrounding this influenza season's vaccine shortage.

Whereas the United States has been faced with a shortage of influenza vaccine 
        from manufacturers during this influenza season;
Whereas influenza vaccine is the best preventative measure against influenza;
Whereas the most at risk populations were not immunized at the optimal time 
        (early October), as recommended by health officials;
Whereas influenza seasons are unpredictable and can be devastating to the health 
        and well-being of all populations, regardless of age;
Whereas all influenza vaccines are privately manufactured;
Whereas opportunity exists for distributors of influenza vaccine to reap large 
        profits in times of shortage by servicing the highest bidder before 
        their contractual agreements or those most in need;
Whereas the State of California contracted with General Injectables and Vaccines 
        on February 24, 2000, for 700,000 doses of influenza vaccine at $17.99 
        per vial with expectations of receiving its entire shipment by September 
        15, 2000, but did not receive the balance until the end of November 
        2000;
Whereas the State of Maine contracted with General Injectables and Vaccines in 
        late June 2000 for 123,000 doses of influenza vaccine at $31.00 and 
        $39.00 per vial and received its entire order by early September 2000; 
        and
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has implored distributors 
        of influenza vaccine to send their product to those most in need per CDC 
        guidelines: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that 
oversight hearings should be convened immediately to determine--
            (1) the course of action followed by distributors of 
        influenza vaccine during this influenza season;
            (2) whether or not such distributors put profit ahead of 
        the health and well-being of the American people; and
            (3) whether it is necessary to take measures to ensure the 
        safe, adequate, and timely supply of influenza vaccines in the 
        future.
                                 <all>