October 18, 2004 Senator Clinton Releases Flu Vaccine Resource Guide for New York Residents New York, NY -- Today, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton began distributing a resource guide to New Yorkers searching for flu vaccine information. "We have received hundreds of calls from New Yorkers wanting more information about where they can go to receive the vaccine, if they are among those at high risk for the flu or could forego the vaccine to ensure that someone else at greater risk gets one," Senator Clinton said. "And what we realized is that for every call we have gotten, there are dozens more people who need this same information." The resource guide developed by Senator Clinton's office provides a list of agencies that are offering assistance to those seeking help in locating flu vaccine supplies throughout New York State. Also included is information on the flu, priority groups for vaccination, vaccination details and local facilities that are currently administering the vaccine. Since vaccine supplies are changing from day to day, the guide also provides phone numbers to get for the latest information on vaccine availability. Finally, the guide contains contact information for the Centers for Disease Control, New York State Department of Health, and the New York State Office of the Aging. "I am hopeful that this information will be useful to New Yorkers as we try to ensure that those at greatest risk receive the vaccination they need," Senator Clinton said. "The disturbing fact remains that more could have been done to prevent this shortage and more needs to be done now to address it. The analysis and recommendations have long existed to prevent this problem. The flu season is a predictable, annual occurrence and should not result in this kind of crisis year after year. I believe this event raises fundamental questions about whether our government has made the proper investments in our public health infrastructure." Shortly after the announcement that Chiron would be unable to supply almost half of the nation's supply of flu vaccine this year, Senator Clinton joined with a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing The Emergency Flu Response Act of 2004. The legislation would provide the nation's health agencies with the tools they need to protect the public health from the danger of influenza and maximize our reduced vaccine stocks. The bill would also provide the CDC and Federal health agencies with the resources they need to purchase flu vaccine from nations with excess supply, and give the FDA the authority to review imported vaccine under an expedited timeframe. To access Senator Clinton's Flu Vaccine Resource Guide click here. THE EMERGENCY FLU RESPONSE ACT OF 2004 Provisions of the Legislation The Emergency Flu Response Act of 2004 gives the nation's health agencies the tools they need to protect the public health from the danger of influenza, and to maximize the value of our reduced vaccine stocks. Specifically, the legislation: • Requires the Secretary of HHS to seek to purchase additional stocks of vaccine available from Europe, Canada or Japan, and approved by the regulatory agencies of those nations. Directs FDA to review vaccines from these sources using the flexible and expedited review provided under the BioShield legislation. • Provides funding to states to develop plans for effective distribution of vaccine. • Provides funding to increase the stockpile of antiviral medications, and conduct dilution studies of existing vaccine. • Requires reporting of the availability of vaccine, so that reserve supplies can be directed to areas of shortage. • Establishes a vaccine clearinghouse to facilitate the voluntary donation of vaccine from individuals or companies with employees at low risk of infection to individuals at high risk. Allows HHS to purchase vaccine from employers or wholesalers who wish to sell it. • Requires Federal Departments and the Attending Physician of the Capitol to abide by CDC recommendations in determining who should receive the vaccine. • Ensures that anyone complying with a requirement to undergo quarantine does not suffer loss of employment or income. • Provides CDC with emergency authority to require vaccine to be distributed through health agencies if other measures fail to assure priority for the neediest pa