News Release

Statement by Mike Leavitt Secretary of Health and Human Services Regarding Passage of Emergency Funding for Pandemic Preparedness

I commend the Congress for passing the President’s FY 2007 emergency funding request of $2.3 billion to help achieve our pandemic preparedness goals. These funds are a second installment in response to the President’s requests and will be allocated in the most effective manner possible.

We will continue our essential work to increase our domestic capacity to produce pandemic influenza vaccine and antiviral medications. These funds also will enable us to further enhance federal, state and local preparedness efforts and to further strengthen the international public health infrastructure, which is a critical component of our global surveillance efforts.

I appreciate Congress’ action which takes us an essential step forward to becoming the first generation in history to be prepared for a possible pandemic.

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Last revised: January 12, 2009