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www.fdanews.com/articles/82275-frist-gregg-offer-amendment-requesting-4-billion-for-pandemic-vaccines

FRIST, GREGG OFFER AMENDMENT REQUESTING $4 BILLION FOR PANDEMIC VACCINES

November 8, 2005

Two influential Senate Republicans offered an amendment to a federal spending bill recently calling for nearly $4 billion in funding for pandemic flu preparation.

The amendment, attached to the Deficit Reduction Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 2005, S. 1932, would direct $2.8 billion for the development and stockpiling of antivirals and vaccines for influenza and other emerging pandemics; $577 million to intensify surveillance of influenza and other newly emerging pandemics; and $577 million to enhance local, state and federal preparedness for influenza and other newly emerging pandemics.

"This amendment addresses a pressing health and security need," said Senate Budget Committee Chairman Judd Gregg (R-N.H), who offered the amendment with Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.). "Funding is only one part of a larger strategy, however. We also must focus on enhancing applied research into pandemic and bioterror diseases and countermeasures; strengthen support of the vaccine industry; and provide the necessary liability protections to companies that manufacture pandemic and bioterror countermeasure products."