Secretary Thompson to Release $100 Million to Assist States with Smallpox Vaccination Programs

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced today that the department will release $100 million to the states to help them better prepare our nation for a possible smallpox attack and strengthen the public health infrastructure.

The money from HHS' Centers and Disease Control and Prevention will be made available immediately. These funds are in addition to the $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2002 funds sent to states last year and the $1.4 billion in fiscal year 2003 money. Secretary Thompson will send letters to governors soon notifying them of the availability of the smallpox funds.

"Because a smallpox attack is possible, we must prepare our public health workers to quickly respond to protect the American public," Secretary Thompson said. "This additional money is part of our overall commitment to our state and local partners to build a stronger public health system to care for Americans in the event of any emergency, including a smallpox attack."

In March, Secretary Thompson announced that 20 percent ($280 million) of the $1.4 billion to be provided to states this year is available immediately to help them enhance preparations against terrorism or other public health emergencies, including smallpox vaccination for selected health workers and emergency responders. The remaining 80 percent will be released once states submit and HHS reviews work plans outlining their public health and hospital preparedness activities.

Overall, HHS is spending $3.5 billion this year for bioterrorism preparedness, including research into potential bioterror disease agents and potential treatments and vaccines. The fiscal year 2003 funding is up from about $1.8 billion for such activities in 2002.

"We continue to make unprecedented investments in our public health infrastructure," Secretary Thompson said. "This commitment better prepares America for any public health emergency, whether it is a smallpox attack or an emerging disease like SARS."

In December, President Bush announced the smallpox vaccination program in which HHS is working with state and local governments to vaccinate health care workers and other crucial personnel, as part of Smallpox Response Teams.

Pre-attack vaccination of these teams will allow them to vaccinate the American public in the event of an attack. While it is not recommended that the general public get the vaccine now, HHS will immediately make vaccine available to the general public if there is a smallpox release. HHS currently has enough unlicensed vaccine to protect every man, woman and child and will have enough licensed vaccine sometime in 2004.

Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at www.hhs.gov/news.