[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 105 (Thursday, July 28, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9292-S9293]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KENNEDY (for himself and Mr. Reed):
  S. 527. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to 
immunizations against vaccine-preventable diseases, including 
influenza, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, today, Senator Reed and I are introducing 
the ``Vaccine Administration and Supply Act.'' Congressman Waxman is 
introducing a companion bill in the House. Our goal is to improve 
vaccine accessibility and administration across the country, by 
guaranteeing that every American has access to recommended vaccines, 
and strengthening our public health infrastructure.
  Vaccines are one of the Nation's most significant success stories in 
public health. They have wiped out mass killers such as polio and 
smallpox, and protected millions of Americans from other life-
threatening or debilitating infectious diseases. They save lives, and 
save costs too, in needless treatment and hospitalization for illnesses 
that could have been prevented.
  Today, the threat of infectious disease is ever present. Deadly 
strains of naturally occurring viruses, such as avian flu, are moving 
from animals to humans. The possibility of bioterrorism is looming. 
Accessibility to vaccines and improving our public health 
infrastructure are essential to protect the health of our communities 
and our Nation--and efforts to do so are long overdue.
  We have made remarkable progress in protecting children from vaccine-
preventable diseases by making vaccines available to uninsured and 
underinsured children at no cost through the Vaccines for Children and 
Immunization Grant programs. As a result, childhood immunization rates 
and disease reductions are near all-time highs.
  On the other hand, there is a huge gap in adult and adolescent 
vaccination. Each year, 46,000 to 48,000 adults die from diseases that 
could be cheaply and effectively prevented by vaccination. Many of 
these persons miss the opportunity to protect themselves against 
vaccine-preventable diseases because they don't have adequate insurance 
coverage.
  Our legislation will close this gap in public health by mandating 
that the Secretary of HHS establish an immunization program for adults. 
Uninsured and underinsured adolescents and adults will be vaccinated at 
no charge

[[Page S9293]]

in any Federally qualified health center, or local or State public 
health department.

  Participating States will also receive increased funding for the 
Immunization Grant Program, so that Program Managers can administer 
vaccinations to uninsured and underinsured citizens, as well as conduct 
education and awareness campaigns on the importance of vaccination and 
carry out strategies to increase vaccination rates throughout the 
States.
  In addition to increasing vaccine accessibility through State 
programs, this bill will also improve the national immunization 
infrastructure. Last year's shortage of influenza vaccine was a wake up 
call for greater national coordination of vaccine allocation and 
delivery. Our bill requires the Secretary of HHS to purchase and 
stockpile needed vaccines, and develop an emergency response plan, 
within one-year of enactment, to guide States in administering vaccines 
in the case of a shortage or emergency.
  As our Health Subcommittee on Bioterrorism and Public Health 
Preparedness continues to discuss provisions to encourage the 
development of vaccines and other countermeasures to bioterrorism, this 
legislation will establish the infrastructure needed to ensure the 
efficient administration of such countermeasures in a time of crisis.
  The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials said it 
well when stating, ``Immunization is a vital public health tool and an 
essential element in protecting the nation's health.'' In light of the 
obvious dangers, it is urgent for Congress to increase immunization 
rates and ensure the efficient allocation of vaccines in an emergency. 
I commend Congressman Waxman for his leadership on this important 
health issue in the House, and Senator Reed and I urge our colleagues 
in the Senate to join in this important effort to improve our public 
health preparedness.
                                 ______