Senators pushing flu vaccine imports

Senate Democrats are pushing for Congress to enact legislation in November that would require HHS to try to purchase flu vaccine from Canada, Europe or Japan. The Emergency Flu Response Act of 2004, introduced by Senate Minority Leader Thomas Daschle (D-S.D.), has attracted support from the Democratic leadership and at least two Republican senators, Olympia Snowe (Maine) and John Warner (Va.). The bill instructs FDA to review imported vaccines using the flexible and expedited review process provided under the Project BioShield legislation. It also instructs NIH to study whether influenza vaccine can be diluted and continue to retain its effectiveness. The proposed legislation does not include any incentives to increase vaccine production in the future.

HHS has contacted every manufacturer of influenza vaccine in the world to assess global inventories, HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson told reporters last week. It is "unlikely" that imported vaccine could be reviewed in time for release during the 2004-2005 flu season, he added. ...