HHS to Release $100M to Assist States with Smallpox Programs

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HHS to Release $100M to Assist States with Smallpox Programs
U.S. Newswire

5 May 16:26

Secretary Thompson to Release $100 Million to Assist States with
Smallpox Vaccination Programs
To: National Desk
Contact: HHS Press Office, 202-690-6343
web: http://www.hhs.gov/news

WASHINGTON, May 5 /U.S. Newswire/ -- 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 http://www.hhs.gov/news

http://www.usnewswire.com
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/U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/
05/10 16:26

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