[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 15, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S1415]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BAYH (for himself, Mr. Craig, and Ms. Landrieu):
  S. 375. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for 
an influenza vaccine awareness campaign, ensure a sufficient influenza 
vaccine supply, and prepare for an influenza pandemic or epidemic, to 
amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to encourage vaccine production 
capacity, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I rise today to encourage increased 
production of influenza vaccines in the United States. I am happy to 
honor my commitment to reintroduce the Flu Protection Act of 2005, 
along with Senator Bayh.
  We dodged a bullet this year because we had a relatively mild flu 
season. Also, because the administration and public health officials 
did an excellent job of immediately addressing the vaccine shortage 
when it was announced in October. While this season's vaccine shortage 
didn't have as strong an impact as it might have, we should not go a 
day without looking for a path toward solving this problem so that we 
don't have the same issues in years to come. We may not always be so 
fortunate. Scientists believe that the return of an especially strong 
pandemic strain of flu is overdue. This legislation supports the 
administration's efforts to take steps to prepare for the imminent 
threat of avian flu.
  The Bush administration has made progress on this issue, but Congress 
needs to address the underlying problems. The United States is 
disturbingly underprepared to deal with a massive outbreak or a sudden 
shortage of vaccine. We don't want to get caught short next year. We 
must aggressively encourage vaccine companies to come into this market 
and pass building incentives for existing companies.
  I am encouraged that some sections of this legislation have been 
included in the majority's priority legislative package and look 
forward to working with other Members of Congress to ensure that the 
most comprehensive piece of legislation possible can be approved. We 
must move quickly to pass legislation that ensures sufficient flu 
vaccine supply, encourages an increase in production capacity, supports 
a flu vaccine awareness campaign, and prepares the United States to 
combat a pandemic or epidemic.
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