Immunization Newsbriefs

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March 19, 2001

“Vaccine Shortage Spurs Legislation Proposal” Associated Press (www.ap.org) (03/19/01)

In the wake of last fall’s flu vaccine shortage, in which production delays led to shipment and supply problems, rationing, and price gouging, legislators in Washington D.C. and Oregon have been looking to give health officials authority to assume command during periods of emergency and be proactive in the vaccine distribution process.  In Oregon, State Rep. Jeff Kruse’s (R-Roseburg) bill would allow the Oregon Health Division to declare a vaccine emergency and assume command of distribution if supplies are expected to be 25 percent short for at least two months, or a vaccine crisis if supplies are expected to be 50 percent short.  The federal bill, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), would give the secretary of Health and Human Services the authority to order flu vaccine manufacturers to honor sales contracts with states or counties before other organizations in times of national emergency.  Legislators, as well as proponents of the bills within the medical community, are stressing that they are not interested in removing vaccine production from the private sector, and that the rules would only rarely take effect.

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