Assessing Preparedness for Possible Flu Pandemic
Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigation to Hold Hearing 

Washington, D.C. — This Thursday, December 15, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation will hold a hearing on the Department of Veterans Affairs’ annual flu vaccination program and its preparedness in the event of flu pandemic.  This hearing will address VA’s efforts in planning, budgeting and administering its annual flu vaccination program.   

Specifically, the Subcommittee seeks information about VA’s current immunization efforts to include shortages of vaccination, if any, as well as reported cases and surveillance efforts to date.  The Subcommittee will also review the involvement of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other federal departments in preparing for a possible flu pandemic, including inter-agency collaboration. 

According to the VA, influenza prevention is a public health priority for the VA.  The VHA flu directive and VA’s flu vaccination program coincides with the national vaccination campaign.  As part of the campaign, VA distributes a flu toolkit, purchases and distributes vaccine supplies, and establishes flu vaccination performance measures.  

Location & Time: 334 Cannon at 10:00 a.m. 

Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation Chairman Bilirakis was disappointed to hear that the Surgeon General of the United States, Vice Adm. Richard Carmona, would be unable to attend this hearing even though his duties would entail oversight and leadership of the Commissioned Corps in the event of a Pandemic.   

Testimony to be provided by:

Dr. Lawrence Deyton, MSPH, MD
Chief Consultant Public, Health Strategic Health Care Group
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 

Accompanied by: Victoria Davey, RN, MPH
Deputy Chief Consultant, Public Strategic Health Care Group, VA 

Dr. Robert Muder, Staff Physician, Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Health Care System
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 

Dr. Denise Cardo, MD, Director, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services 

Ms. Ellen P. Embrey, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Force Health Protection and Readiness and Director, Deployment Health Support

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