[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 159 (Friday, November 16, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11990-S11991]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FLU VACCINES
Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I come to the floor to talk about a program
for vaccinating Americans, particularly as the country heads towards
the season when many have the flu.
This is an area I have a great interest in since my days as director
of the Oregon Gray Panthers. Obviously, older people are particularly
vulnerable. This year, certainly there is going to be considerable
focus on the flu vaccination program.
Given the new threats of bioterrorism that have been widely
discussed, certainly many are going to be particularly interested in
getting the flu vaccination. It is important that we reevaluate how flu
vaccinations are provided in light of the unfortunate, significant new
health concerns of many Americans.
Certainly the threat of bioterrorism has increased demand for flu
shots. In my view, it has caused considerable confusion. In recent
days, my office has canvassed State health departments and many senior
citizens programs around the Nation. We have found that while no
shortage currently exists, there are delays and certainly a substantial
amount of misinformation about the various programs and services that
are available for older people. There have also been problems with one
manufacturer that may be exacerbating delays in getting vaccine doses
out to the public.
Even more important, my sense is there isn't yet a clear,
understandable system in place for ensuring that high-risk Americans,
particularly the Nation's older people, are vaccinated early and first.
My sense is that more needs to be done in addition to prioritizing
the concerns of high-risk, vulnerable Americans to put in place a
better distribution system for getting out vaccines. There needs to be
a better plan to make sure that there are processes in place, if there
are problems or snafus of one manufacturer. It is extremely important
that there be a uniform message coming from all health officials with
respect to the flu vaccine program.
For example, while CDC and others have told Americans to get
vaccinated later, others in the health system have urged Americans to
get vaccinated quickly against the flu because of the anthrax threat.
Since anthrax has been in the news so much, it is logical for people
to think they should get vaccinated immediately. But because people
cannot get their shot the day they want it or the day a clinic is
scheduled, some people may think there is an immediate shortage.
On the basis of the survey we have just done of the State health
departments and many senior citizen centers, it does not appear there
is a shortage with respect to the vaccine. But there are delays. There
are instances where mixed messages have been sent by public health
officials. This has certainly contributed to the confusion that exists.
Under the leadership of Senator Breaux, the Senate Aging Committee
has been looking into this issue. At Senator Breaux's request--and let
me also state the ranking minority member, Senator Craig, on the Aging
Committee has been considerably interested in this in the past as
well--our Aging Committee held a hearing that I chaired to look at the
flu vaccine program.
We have worked with Secretary Thompson. I think he has made a number
of steps that are constructive and have moved the program in the right
direction, but certainly there is more to do.
For example, our survey found that in Indiana they received about 10
percent of the order the counties have placed, but it will have 50 to
100 percent of their order in 4 to 6 weeks. And, obviously, if
shipments don't arrive on time, don't arrive in line with the plans
that the programs and the senior citizen centers are putting out to
their members, there is going to be a great deal of confusion.
So as we move to this crunch time for vaccinations, health officials
in this country still cannot tell us if all the high-risk patients are
being vaccinated, or if there are plans to vaccinate them. I think we
need to develop a better system, for example, to track seniors who are
in these programs. Many are signed up, and there are others who should
be vaccinated early. This can be done if the public health system wants
to do it.
So around the country there are concerns. I mentioned Indiana. In the
State of Oregon, one large provider of public health clinics has
received only about 40 percent of their order.
In Michigan, health officials are concerned that by the time they get
the rest of the order they need in December, the public will not come.
Doses may actually have to be dumped. So there are a variety of
concerns about the flu vaccine program.
[[Page S11991]]
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that an article in yesterday's
Washington Post be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the article was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
[From the Washington Post, Nov. 15, 2001]
Longer Lines for Flu Shots
Increase Attributed in Part To Anxiety About Anthrax
(By Leef Smith)
Regional health care providers are reporting a 20 to 30
percent increase in the number of people lining up at grocery
stores and community clinics for flu shots, and attribute
part of the surge to widespread anxiety about anthrax.
The early symptoms of inhalation anthrax--fever, cough and
muscle pain--resemble those of the flu. As a result, doctors
say, many people are getting vaccinated in hopes of staving
off the flu and thus making anthrax easier to diagnose should
it occur.
``We're seeing a lot of first-time flu shots,'' said Susan
Randall, a registered nurse and clinical manager for Inova
HealthSource, which is spearheading the Fight the Flu
campaign in Northern Virginia and plans to administer 80,000
flu shots this season. The campaign plans to provide 50,000
shots in Maryland and the District. ``If you ask people why
they're getting the vaccination . . . some will say they're
afraid of anthrax,'' she said.
But Randall said flu is serious enough on its own for
people to consider being inoculated. ``While it's tragic
we've had four anthrax deaths, over 20,000 people die of the
flu each year,'' she said. ``People should take the flu
seriously.''
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has
issued the same advice, noting on its Web site that numerous
viruses cause flu-like symptoms. The site also discourages
people from getting a flu shot simply to reduce concern about
anthrax exposure.
``You should get a flu shot to avoid the flu, and the
symptoms of the flu, not to avoid anthrax,'' said CDC
spokesman Curtis Allen. ``They're two different issues.''
Flu seasons begins in November, with cases generally
peaking in January and February.
Health care providers strive to vaccinate high-risk
groups--people 65 and older, those with chronic medical
conditions, medical workers and some pregnant women--by the
end of October. But a delay this year in the delivery of flu
vaccine from manufacturers--some of whom are upgrading their
equipment to increase productivity--has hampered that effort.
CDC officials say there is more vaccine being manufactured
this year than ever before--about 85 million doses--and
insist that there will be enough to meet the rising demand.
A little more than half the supply was sent to distributors
and health care organizations by the end of October, and
another large batch is expected this month. The rest is due
in December, although officials with the Food and Drug
Administration, as well as the CDC, say the timetable could
change.
Because of a supply delay, only about half of the 14,000
high-risk patients treated by Johns Hopkins Community
Physicians, a coalition of 18 private medical practices, have
received their vaccinations. The group had planned to
vaccinate all of its at-risk patients by the end of October.
``We thought we were so smart,'' said physician Barbara
Cook. ``We put up posters telling people if you're 65 or
older, come in and get your shots. We had to take them all
down because we ran out of vaccine almost immediately.''
Likewise, the Fairfax County Health Department, which
usually aims to begin its vaccination program for high-risk
patients in early November, has received only 10 percent of
the 5,800 doses of vaccine it ordered. While delays are not
uncommon, officials said this year's has forced them to
postpone many of their vaccination clinics.
``It would be our preference to immunize as early as
possible, but without vaccine, we can't do that,'' said
Rosalyn Foroobar, assistant director of patient care services
for the Health Department. ``Hopefully, we'll be able to
provide [the shots] before the flu season really does hit.
We'll get it. It's just late.''
Even if everyone who wants a vaccination gets one, Randall
of Inova HealthSource isn't sure that will be enough to
prevent panic when flu season strikes in earnest.
``I think that underlying anxiety out there will cause
people to wonder'' about anthrax, she said. ``Even if they've
gotten a flu shot, I think our emergency rooms are going to
be very, very busy.''
Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I urge our colleagues to work with public
health programs in their communities. I certainly intend to do that in
Oregon, at home, during this high-risk season. I think it is possible
to get clearer, more understandable messages out to the public about
this program. I do think there needs to be a better system in place for
making sure that high-risk persons, particularly older people, get
these vaccines. I think we also need to take steps to make sure there
are backup plans if there are problems with a manufacturer, both this
winter and in the future.
Secretary Thompson has worked with us in a constructive way. Progress
has been made. I certainly do not think there is a need for people to
go out and panic. But I think there are steps that do still need to be
taken so we do not have frustrated older people, health care providers,
and others who want to take steps to protect their health and that of
the American people.
Mr. President, with that, I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Jersey.
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