WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Bill Frist (R-TN) today hailed recommendations to strengthen the nation’s supply of childhood vaccines made by the National Vaccine Advisory Commission (NVAC).

In a special communication in the December 17 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the NVAC concludes that: “Disruptions to the supply of routinely administered vaccines are likely to continue to occur. Action to implement short- and long-term solutions should be considered and implemented now.” The NVAC recommended several solutions including: utilizing vaccine stockpiles, strengthening liability protections, improving communications regarding the vaccine supply and initiating a national campaign on the safety and benefits of immunization.

The NVAC was chartered in 1988 to advise and make recommendations to the Director of the National Vaccine Program and the Assistant Secretary for Health at the Department of Health and Human Services on matters related to the prevention of infectious diseases through immunization and the prevention of adverse reactions to vaccines. The NVAC is composed of 15 members from public and private organizations representing vaccine manufacturers, physicians, parents, and state and local health agencies.

"The current shortages of the flu vaccine are merely the latest event to highlight the need for a comprehensive plan to restore balance and ensure the availability of much-needed vaccines," said Frist.

"Vaccine shortages threaten our children and the health of our nation, yet unnecessary litigation continues to destabilize our vaccine supply by causing fewer vaccines to be developed and produced. Today's nonpartisan expert recommendations highlight the need to move forward in a comprehensive manner such as that detailed in the Improved Vaccine Affordabilty and Availability Act, which I introduced earlier this year. This legislation is supported by a range of public health groups and is critical to protecting our children and nation."

He said his "Improved Vaccine Affordability and Availability Act”: Authorizes additional appropriations to increase influenza immunization rates in high risk populations, including medically underserved adults and adolescents, and extend vaccine availability; Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for research, demonstration projects, and education to ensure that immunizations are routinely offered to adults and adolescents by public and private health care providers; Directs the Secretary to maintain a 6 months supply of prioritized vaccines; and Improves the existing Vaccine Injury Compensation Program by providing additional compensation and protections for those who experience rare, but serious, side effects from vaccines and by stabilizing the vaccine supply and production market. Just one of the pending lawsuits in the United States seeks $30 billion in damages, while the total global value of the vaccine market is only $5 billion.