Senate Bills - 109th Congress

S. 969—The Attacking Viral Influenza Across Nations Act of 2005

On April 29, Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) introduced S. 969, the Attacking Viral Influenza Across Nations Act of 2005. The bill would amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to preparation for an influenza pandemic, including an avian influenza pandemic, and for other purposes. NIH-related provisions would require the Director, NIH, in collaboration with the Director, CDC, to expand and intensify human and animal research on influenza related to vaccine development and manufacture, including strategies to increase immunological response; prophylactic and therapeutic antivirals; side effects and drug safety of antivirals and vaccines in subpopulations; alternative routes of delivery; more efficient methods of viral testing and subtype determinations; and other areas as deemed appropriate. In addition, the NIH Director would be required to expand and intensify historical research on past pandemics to better understand pandemic epidemiology, transmission, protective measures, high-risk groups, and other lessons that may be applicable to future pandemics. S. 969 was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP).

Legislative Update (December 2006): Attacking Viral Influenza Across Nations Act of 2005