[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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