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May 22, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Conference Agree on Bioterror Bill"

Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (05/22/02) P. A35; Dewar, Helen

The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate yesterday agreed on a measure that would bolster defenses against a bioterror attack. The bill calls for "such sums as necessary" to pay for the stockpiling of vaccines and antibiotics to prevent and treat outbreaks.  Money will be given to state and local health agencies and hospitals to prepare, and laboratories handling dangerous agents will be required to beef up security, as well as limit the access of certain lab technicians to harmful substances.  The bill will also grant the FDA the power to prohibit unsafe food imports, and would provide funds to states to increase the amount of food inspections.  Water systems serving more than 3,300 people will be forced to conduct vulnerability assessments and develop emergency response plans.

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