Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) spoke this morning during joint hearing by the Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittees on Health and Oversight and Investigations on “H1N1 Preparedness:  An Update of Vaccine Production and Distribution.” Below are the remarks as prepared for delivery.

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman.  I would like to thank both Chairman Pallone and Chairman Stupak for holding this important hearing.  Since the initial outbreak in March of the H1N1 influenza in Mexico, the federal government, state and local public health departments, health care providers, vaccine manufacturers and many others, have been working overtime to produce and distribute the H1N1 vaccine and educate the public on precautions that can be taken to prevent the spread of the influenza.

“Since April, 42 people in Michigan have died since contracting any strain of influenza, more than 1,200 have been hospitalized and over 584,000 have reported flu-like systems.  Across 48 states there have been 3,900 deaths from the H1N1 virus, 9,800 hospitalizations and 22 million infections.  The high number of deaths from H1N1, in particular the high number of pediatric deaths, has increased the demand for the vaccine, a demand that is unlikely to cease any time soon.  

“This vaccine first became available in the beginning of October and as of November 5, approximately 35 million doses have become available.  This is well below the CDC projection of 40 million doses by the end of October.

“There is no doubt that manufacturing a vaccine in short order is a difficult task.  This task requires scientists to identify the virus correctly, determine the appropriate and most effective method for a vaccine, and then manufacture millions of vaccines to be distributed, all with the pressure of completing the task quickly and, most importantly, safely.  

“I know there were many unforeseen roadblocks for manufacturers, whether it be the difficulty of producing vaccines in an egg-based system, a shortage of the appropriate egg supply, equipment failures, among other things.  

“And while this shortfall is a disappointment, I believe we better serve the American people when we focus on producing a safe and effective vaccine and having it made available in a safe and efficient manner. History has taught us that prioritizing speed over safety is shortsighted when it comes to flu outbreaks.  In February of 1976, two recruits at Fort Dix fell sick from the H1N1 flu strand.  Congress responded swiftly.  That August a National Influenza Program was introduced and one week later it was signed into law by President Ford.  We were later forced to deal with the costly consequences of our actions, which ultimately led to great public mistrust of immunizations as the program was mishandled and lives were lost.  It is appropriate to respond to national public threats, but we need to be deliberate and thoughtful in our response.

“The H1N1 outbreak and the distribution of the vaccine provides the federal government with the opportunity and responsibility to closely examine our pandemic response system.  For HHS and CDC, in particular, this means examining the way in which our government communicates with the public.  For FDA, this means examining the method in which vaccines are approved.

“Like many of my colleagues, and many of you testifying today, my goal is to ensure the safety and health of the public today, while also looking forward as to how we can best be prepared for future pandemics.  This includes examining the Strategic National Stockpile and whether it is adequately supplied, preparing our scientists and manufacturers with the most effective and efficient technology to create and produce vaccines, as well as looking to whether or not Congress has provided adequate funding for HHS, CDC and FDA to carry out their missions.

“I believe today’s hearing will be helpful in answering these questions and others and I look forward to working with you, Chairmen Pallone and Stupak along with the witnesses here today, as we seek to mitigate the outbreak of H1N1.”

For more information on where you can find H1N1 shots and get important information about this strain of the flu, visit the following sites:

Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.flu.gov/

Michigan Department of Community Health
http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2940_2955_22779---,00.html

CDC H1N1 Page
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

World Health Organization (WHO) H1N1 Page
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/