Authorizing Secretary of Veterans Affairs to Furnish Seasonal Influenza Vaccines
Floor Speech
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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5671) to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish seasonal influenza vaccines to certain individuals, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 5671
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO FURNISH SEASONAL INFLUENZA VACCINES TO CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS NOT ENROLLED IN PATIENT ENROLLMENT SYSTEM OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Section 2 of the SAVE LIVES Act (Public Law 117-4; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended--
(1) by striking ``a vaccine for COVID-19'' each place it appears and inserting ``a vaccine for COVID-19, a seasonal influenza vaccine, or both'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting ``and seasonal influenza vaccines'' after ``vaccines for COVID-19''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, seasonal influenza vaccines, or both'' after ``vaccines for COVID-19'';
(3) in subsection (d), by striking ``Vaccine Allocation'' in the heading and inserting ``COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation'';
(4) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f);
(5) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new subsection (e):
``(e) Limitation on Furnishing Seasonal Influenza Vaccine.--A seasonal influenza vaccine may not be furnished under this section after April 29, 2022.'';
(6) in subsection (f), as so redesignated--
(A) by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (7); and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following new paragraph:
``(6) Seasonal influenza vaccine.--The term `seasonal influenza vaccine' means any product that is--
``(A) approved by the Food and Drug Administration;
``(B) commercially available; and
``(C) recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the prevention of influenza in a particular season.''; and
(7) in the section heading by striking ``vaccine'' and inserting ``and influenza vaccines''.
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Mr. TAKANO. 5671, as amended.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5671, as amended. Earlier this year, the SAVE LIVES Act was passed unanimously by both Chambers and signed into law. It has allowed VA to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to veterans, their caregivers, and spouses.
With flu season in full swing and COVID-19 continuing to burden our health systems, the urgency to provide both flu and COVID vaccines has never been greater. Public health officials are clear. It is completely safe to receive both inoculations, even at the same time.
Mr. Speaker, that is why I introduced this legislation to build on the lifesaving work of the SAVE LIVES Act and allow VA to administer flu vaccines in addition to COVID-19 vaccines to the same population. By providing easy access to both vaccines at the same time, I hope we can begin to reduce the burden on the broader healthcare system this winter.
Mr. Speaker, I sincerely thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost), the ranking member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for working with me on this legislation in committee.
I ask all my colleagues here today to join this bipartisan effort and support this important legislation to increase access to both vaccines.
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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, and before asking all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 5671, I truly believe that passing the SAVE LIVES Act and passing this legislation today, H.R. 5671 constitutes one of the best moments that I have had as chairman where all four corners of the Congress came together.
Ranking Member Bost, I know walked a very delicate balance to bring his Members together, but I appreciate his persuasive abilities with his side of the aisle.
Mr. Speaker, I want to encourage that we do this more, and I have no doubt that we really did save lives. And I have no doubt today that we are going to save lives because of this effort before us.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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