On September 17, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee on Public Health held a hearing on the adequacy of childhood vaccine supplies. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) opened the hearing by expressing his concern that “the recent vaccine supply disruptions will inevitably have a negative impact on vaccine coverage rates in this country.” He added, “The public health community must remain vigilant in tracking this data so that the appropriate response can be taken to protect public health.”
In her testimony, Janet Heinrich of the General Accounting Office explained that by October 2001, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had reported shortages of five vaccines that protect against eight childhood diseases. Ms. Heinrich noted that there were short supplies of diphtheria and tetanus vaccines as well as shortages in vaccines to protect against pertussis, invasive pneumococcal disease, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella.
According to Ms. Heinrich, four factors contributed to the vaccine shortages, including:
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Calling immunizations “the greatest public health achievement of the 20th century,” Dr. Timothy Doran of the Greater Baltimore Medical Center said that “since the widespread use of vaccines, millions of children have avoided terrible diseases that can cause great suffering and in some cases, death.” However, he added, he has “never witnessed a vaccine shortage such as we have seen over the past year.”
Dr. Doran said that the problem “remains particularly acute,” given some of the impacts and consequences of having a vaccine shortage. Dr. Doran noted that the credibility of physicians suffers when they have to “explain that these important and safe vaccines are not available for a young child…now at risk for contracting a life-threatening illness.” He cited the denied entry to school or access to child care for children who are not vaccinated as another consequence of the vaccine shortages.
Dr. Doran stressed that “it is crucial to our children’s health that we continue to look for solutions to avoid future disruptions in supply.”
Another witness, Wayne Pisano of Aventis Pasteur, a global vaccine company, offered suggestions as to how the vaccine supply can be strengthened while “maintaining a vital and productive industry.” He noted that legislative changes to improve vaccine supply could include creating a “strategic vaccine reserve” through a long-term commitment to stockpiles, increasing the funding for the Food and Drug Administration’s testing research, and demanding advance notice of any manufacturer leaving the market.
Mr. Pisano also recommended strengthening the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, which provides financial compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages to individuals injured by childhood vaccines, as an alternative to traditional civil litigation.
