[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 26, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H345-H348]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL INFLUENZA VACCINATION WEEK
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 1003) expressing support for the designation of
January 10, 2010, through January 16, 2010, as National Influenza
Vaccination Week, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1003
Whereas National Influenza Vaccination Week may provide an
important opportunity to encourage seasonal flu and H1N1
vaccination at a time when demand for flu vaccines usually
drops significantly but the risk for infection remains;
Whereas each year 5 to 20 percent of the population in the
United States gets the flu, an average of more than 200,000
people are hospitalized from flu-related complications, and
about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes;
Whereas between April and mid-November, the United States
saw approximately 47,000,000 cases of the 2009 H1N1 flu, more
than 200,000 hospitalizations, and nearly 10,000 deaths;
Whereas the United States is fortunate that the flu
activity has declined in recent weeks, but flu experts warn
that the public is still at risk of infection and we should
also prepare for a possible third wave of H1N1 flu;
Whereas people in the United States have a window of
opportunity to get the H1N1 vaccine and lessen the impact of,
or even prevent, another wave of illness;
Whereas getting vaccinated is a shared responsibility to
protect families and communities that is safe and effective,
and it is the best defense against all types of flu;
Whereas seasonal flu vaccines have been safely used for
more than 60 years and data compiled for H1N1 vaccines
indicate a similarly excellent safety profile;
Whereas information on seasonal flu vaccine distribution
and availability is available at the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention's (CDC) www.Flu.gov Web site;
Whereas over 135,000,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine are now
available, with more coming every day;
Whereas Congress recognizes the hard work of public health
officials in responding to the 2009 H1N1 flu;
Whereas one of the goals, in addition to fostering
continuing influenza vaccination, of National Influenza
Vaccination Week is to engage H1N1 at-risk audiences who are
not yet vaccinated;
Whereas when the vaccine was first made available, the
CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
recommended that vaccination efforts should
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focus first on people in five target groups who are at higher
risk for the 2009 H1N1 influenza or related complications;
Whereas the five target groups for H1N1 are pregnant women,
people who live with or provide care for infants younger than
6 months, health care and emergency medical services
personnel, people 6 months through 24 years of age, and
people 25 years through 64 years of age who have certain
medical conditions that put them at higher risk for
influenza-related complications;
Whereas Monica Rodriguez, a pregnant mother from El Monte,
California, could likely have prevented her death if she was
able to get vaccinated;
Whereas January 13 is Families Flu Vaccination Day and will
highlight the importance of the 2009 H1N1 vaccination for
pregnant women, children, and caregivers of children less
than 6 months of age;
Whereas H1N1 flu shots are widely available and everyone,
even those not in the high-risk groups are urged to get
vaccinated;
Whereas the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as
well as State and local public health departments and other
partners, such as Families Fighting Flu, are planning
National Influenza Vaccination Week events around the country
and have additional information available at www.cdc.gov/flu/
NIVW/;
Whereas the American Public Health Association, the
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials,
Families Fighting Flu, the Infectious Diseases Society of
America, the American Medical Association, the American
Nurses Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the
National Environmental Health Association, the National
Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health, the
American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the Society for
Healthcare Epidemiology of America, the American Osteopathic
Association, the National Association of Community Health
Centers, the National Association of Pediatric Nurse
Practitioners, the American Red Cross, the American Academy
of Physician Assistants, the National Hispanic Medical
Association, the American College of Emergency Physicians,
the American College of Preventive Medicine, the National
Alliance for Hispanic Health, the International Association
of Firefighters, the American Academy of Family Physicians,
the Association for Profession in Infection Control and
Epidemiology, the American Pharmacists Association, the
American College Health Association, the American College of
Physicians, the National Family Planning and Reproductive
Health Association, the National Association of School
Nurses, the Association of Maternal and Child Health
Programs, the National Association of Children's Hospitals
and Related Institutions, the National Community Pharmacists
Association, the American Hospital Association, the
Federation of American Hospitals, Epocrates, the American
Academy of Neurology, the National Association of County and
City Health Officials, and the Association of Occupational
Health Professionals in Healthcare support the H1N1 flu
vaccine; and
Whereas people can find seasonal and H1N1 vaccine
distribution information by checking the www.Flu.gov Web site
that identifies clinics that have influenza vaccine
available: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the designation of National Influenza
Vaccination Week, including raising public awareness that
vaccination is the best defense against the flu; and
(2) encourages people in the United States to get
vaccinated, especially those with underlying health
conditions, pregnant women, children, young adults,
caretakers of infants, and healthcare workers.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
General Leave
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material in the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield to myself such time as I may
consume.
I rise in support of H. Res. 1003, expressing support for the
designation of January 10 through January 16, 2010, as National
Influenza Vaccination Week. In the 6 months between April and mid-
November, there were approximately 47 million cases of the 2009 H1N1
flu in the United States. More than 200,000 individuals were
hospitalized, and tragically, nearly 10,000 people lost their lives to
this illness. One of those individuals was Monica Rodriguez, who died
in October 2009, before the H1N1 vaccine was available.
Ms. Rodriguez, a constituent of Representative Judy Chu's, was the
mother of three children, and was 5 months pregnant at the time she
died. As a pregnant woman, Monica was considered a high risk, and would
have been on the priority list to get the vaccine as soon as it was
ready. Vaccines save lives. And had the vaccine been available, it
could have saved her life.
Though flu activity has declined in recent weeks, experts warn that
the risk for contracting the flu is still great. We must prepare for a
possible third wave of H1N1 flu, and Americans must remain vigilant
about preventing infection of the H1N1 virus and the seasonal flu. In
both instances, the vaccines can help protect against these illnesses.
Now the resolution before us today shows our support for National
Influenza Vaccination Week, which is sponsored by the Centers for
Disease Control. By supporting this resolution, Congress will help urge
all Americans to take advantage of the supply of vaccine available to
prevent further needless deaths from the H1N1 virus or seasonal flu.
I want to thank my colleague, Representative Chu, for her work on
this important issue. I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I rise today in support of H. Res. 1003, supporting the designation
of January 10 through January 16 as National Influenza Vaccination
Week. I would like to thank the numerous associations and health
professionals for their work in this regard. The National Influenza
Vaccination Week is an important opportunity to encourage those
vulnerable to seasonal flu and those vulnerable to H1N1 to avail
themselves of a vaccination.
Although there has been a major decrease in the number of cases of
H1N1, those who have not been vaccinated should consider how important
it is to protect not only themselves, but the health of their family,
their community, and of course their own well-being.
Currently, there are well over 130,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine
available, and we are told that there is more coming every day. For
those wondering where they can get more information about the seasonal
flu vaccines and the H1N1, they can visit the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention's www.flu.gov Web site.
Again, I want to thank all of the health professionals for their
efforts to lower the impact of the illness this flu season. I stand in
support of this legislation, and urge my colleagues to join me.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize now the sponsor
of the legislation, the gentlewoman from California, Representative
Chu, for as much time as she may consume.
Ms. CHU. Thank you, Chairman Pallone and Chairman Waxman, for your
assistance in getting this resolution presented to the House floor.
It is January 26, and several months of flu season are still before
us. Many people are still at risk of contracting H1N1 but have not
gotten the vaccination that would save their lives. Months before cold
and flu season began, the media and health professionals warned us
about the potential complications from this new strain of flu, H1N1.
And indeed, this virus killed over 10,000 people last year.
The purpose of this resolution is to remind people that the threat is
not over, and that it is imperative that they get their H1N1
vaccination. Such a vaccination would have helped one of my
constituents, Monica Rodriguez. Monica was a wife, mother of three
children, and 5 months pregnant. After experiencing severe flu
symptoms, including fever, congestion, and cough, Monica went twice in
24 hours to a hospital in El Monte, but she was turned away with only
cough syrup to numb the pain, which did little to help the underlying
illness.
Days later, after only getting worse, Monica returned to the
hospital, where she was immediately admitted into intensive care, but
it was too late. On October 25, 2009, Monica and her unborn child
passed away from complications of the H1N1 virus. Monica's husband,
Jorge Gonzalez, wants others to know his wife's story so that they can
receive proper care. Many may believe
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that the risk of death from H1N1 no longer exists, but flu experts warn
that we should prepare for a possible third wave of H1N1.
Americans definitely have a window of opportunity of getting this
vaccine and lessening the impact, or even preventing, another wave of
illness. And Monica's husband Jorge would tell you that he wished a
vaccine was available to save his wife's life.
The threat of H1N1 is clearly not over. Getting vaccinated is the
most important step to preventing the spread of influenza. That is why
I have authored this resolution, which recognizes National Influenza
Vaccination Week. In contrast to last year, the H1N1 vaccine is now
widely available. The risk of contracting flu is still high, and we
have several months of flu season before us. Today with this resolution
we have another opportunity to get the word out and to remind the
public that it is the time to protect yourself.
Many public health departments, hospitals, doctors and nurses are
doing a good job of preventing and treating the 22 million cases of
H1N1 across the country. However, we must not be complacent and let
patients like Monica slip through the cracks. In fact, we must remind
everyone to get the H1N1 vaccine.
Today you can easily find the shot, such as online at flu.gov. And of
course, we must not forget those who are still at greatest risk,
pregnant women like Monica, people who care for infants, health care
and emergency medical services personnel, those under the age of 24,
and people with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for
influenza-related complications.
Please join me and the 22 health organizations that have endorsed
this resolution in showing support for National Influenza Vaccination
Week and spreading the message that getting vaccinated is the first
step towards preventing the flu. Its passage will not only avert
another wave of H1N1 but will honor Monica Rodriguez and all those who
have suffered or died from the virus.
List of Healthcare Organizations that Support H. Res. 1003:
American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of
Pediatrics, American Academy of Physician Assistants,
American Association of Colleges of Nursing, American College
Health Association, American College of Preventative
Medicine, American Nurses Association, American Pharmacists
Association, American Public Health Association, American
Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Association for
Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.,
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials,
Families Fighting Flu, National Association of Children's
Hospitals and Related Institutions, National Association of
County and City Health Officials, National Association of
Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health, National Community
Pharmacists Association, National Environmental Health
Association, National Family Planning and Reproductive Health
Association, National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, The
Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, Trust for
America's Health.
Mr. BURGESS. You know, it is just about 10 months ago that we first
began to hear about this novel strain of flu that was coming across the
border from Mexico. My home State of Texas was affected severely early
on. And it is amazing that within such a short period of time the virus
was identified, isolated, the genetic sequence was known, and then a
vaccination was developed, tested, found to be safe, and delivered into
the hands of Americans shortly after the commencement of the school
year this year.
We did lose many individuals to this illness, and for that we are
sorry. But I would also stress that because of the efforts of the men
and women who worked at the CDC, the National Institutes of Health, all
the practitioners across this country who provided information and
timely vaccination, the effect of this epidemic was significantly
blunted over what it might have been. Those early telephone calls,
those early conference calls in March and April of last year were
nothing short of startling and alarming.
{time} 1515
I do urge people to avail themselves of this vaccine before this flu
season is over.
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of
House Resolution 1003; a resolution entitled ``Expressing support for
the designation of January 10, 2010, through January 16, 2010, as
National Influenza Vaccination Week,'' and which also expresses the
sentiments of the House of Representatives that preventing the spread
of influenza and other infectious diseases should be a priority of all
American citizens.
It is important that we recognize the important role that
immunizations have in protecting Americans from influenza outbreaks.
Seasonal influenza causes more than 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000
deaths in the U.S. every year, and is the seventh leading cause of
death in the U.S.
It is important that we mitigate this great threat to our citizens
and equip all Americans with the necessary preventative measures to
effectively combat both the seasonal flu as well as the H1N1 Influenza
strain.
The flu can be very disruptive to business and trade as well. The
economic and financial costs of seasonal influenza in the United States
can be devastating due to employee absence from work, the high cost
associated with medical care and the draw down in the financial
activity of persons infected with the flu. In addition, lost earnings
due to illness and loss of life amounted to over $15 billion annually
and the total economic burden of annual influenza epidemics amounts to
over $80 billion.
Again, it is important for us to alleviate this growing stress on our
nation's economic and financial systems by equipping our citizens with
the necessary tools to fight the flu.
Furthermore, both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 Influenza strain can
be disruptive to important American pastimes such as cultural events as
well as sporting events. In the event of a highly contagious infectious
outbreak it would be likely that large gatherings of people could be
cancelled in order to prevent the unnecessary spread of disease.
By informing American citizens of the benefits of influenza vaccines
however, we can attempt to prohibit the influenza bug from spreading.
In addition it is important that American citizens remain vigilant in
the fight against the H1N1 Influenza strain. There are currently over
135 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine available to Americans. It is
important that citizens weigh the costs and benefits of such a shot
before receiving it, but it is important for citizens to remain
informed. For the very young and the elderly it can be very helpful in
preventing disease but may also prevent unnecessary death.
That is why it is important for Americans to understand both the
necessity and benefit that seasonal flu shots provide for its citizens.
This is also the reason I ask for your support of this resolution.
The increased awareness that would come from designating the week of
January 10, 2010 through January 16, 2010 as ``National Influenza
Vaccination Week'' would serve to provide American citizens with the
important information needed to prevent a larger-than-normal influenza
outbreak as well as provide the necessary preventative measures to
those who are at a higher risk for influenza-related complications.
I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage all Americans
as well as those from my home town of Houston, Texas to get vaccinated
against both the seasonal flu as well as the H1N1 Influenza strain. I
would especially encourage people with underlying health conditions,
pregnant women, children, young adults, caretakers of infants, and
healthcare workers to get vaccinated in preparation for a possible
third wave of H1N1 flu.
Officially establishing the week of January 10, 2010, through January
16, 2010 as ``National Influenza Vaccination Week,'' would seek to
improve the lives of our citizens as well as increase our citizen's
awareness of the importance of both seasonal as well as H1N1 Influenza
vaccinations.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. I also ask my
colleagues for their continued support in the fight against infectious
and contagious diseases.
Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, I oppose H. Res. 1003, designating January
10, 2010 through January 16, 2010 as National Influenza Vaccination
Week. While I believe the American people should be made aware of
infectious diseases and common sense preventative measures, I am
concerned that this resolution continues the hysterical reaction from
government officials to the swine flu outbreak.
As a physician, I have yet to see any evidence that justifies the
current level of alarm. Influenza typically kills around 36,000 people
every year in this country and hospitalizes a couple hundred thousand.
In the almost a year since swine flu made its first appearance in the
U.S., there have been only a handful of confirmed deaths attributable
to this strain, and most of those sickened have or will fully recover.
Every death is tragic, but I see no reason to deal with this flu
outbreak any differently than we typically deal with any other flu
season. Instead, the federal government has responded with invasive
screening at airports, closing down schools and sporting events, and
causing general panic.
There have also been discussions of mandating that certain
populations be forced to receive the swine flu vaccine. I would remind
my
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colleagues that during the 1976 outbreak of swine flu only 1 America
died from the flu, but mandatory vaccinations killed at least 25 before
the program was abandoned.
Madam Speaker, the panicked reaction to swine flu outbreak
demonstrates why the Federal Government should not become involved in
health care. Instead, decisions as to how best to deal with infectious
disease should be left to local communities, health care providers,
and, most importantly of all, individual citizens. Patients should
always have the right to make their own decision about whether or not
to receive a vaccine after getting full information on both the risks
and the benefits of vaccines from their health care provider.
Mr. BURGESS. I have no other speakers on my side, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I have no additional speakers. I urge
passage of this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1003, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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