Senator Collins has joined U.S. Representatives Tom Davis (R-VA) and Henry Waxman (D-CA) in asking the GAO to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the federal government's response to the vaccine shortage, so we can prevent similar shortages in the future.
"This year's severe flu vaccine shortage is alarming and unfortunate, particularly for high risk individuals," Senator Collins said. "Although the flu vaccination does not guarantee that someone will not get the flu, vaccinations are still an important preventative measure. It is important that the GAO investigate our response to this shortage so we might be better prepared to handle similar issues should they arise in the future."
The letter asks the GAO to address a number of questions, including the following:
• What authority and resources does the federal government have to influence flu vaccine distribution in times of shortage?
• To what extent did the federal government, states, and localities rely on existing contingency plans to respond to the vaccine shortage?
• Some state health departments have declared health emergencies in response to the shortage. What actions did these declarations permit in those states? Did the declarations allow states to take action against price gouging? How did the overall response to the vaccine shortage in those states compare to states that did not take similar actions?
• Information about the availability of vaccine within cities and counties has reportedly varied. What information did localities have about the supplies of vaccine? When and how did this information become available to them?
• How were health providers and the general public informed of CDC recommendations for vaccinating only high-risk populations? What were the strengths and weaknesses of the various methods used to inform providers and the public?
• How did the U.S. utilize the Strategic National Stockpile of influenza vaccine and antiviral medications during this vaccine shortage?
• What lessons from the response to the flu vaccine shortage are relevant to bioterrorism preparedness?
Members have requested that the GAO respond promptly to these requests. Senator Collins will continue to follow the GAO's progress on this important matter.
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