This is but another example of the government’s inability to provide protection for the American people through contracts with independent companies.  America should not have to depend on Europeans to provide such a vital vaccine at the peak of flu season.

In 1998, a contract for producing vaccines for military personnel was awarded to BioPoint, a private company based in East Lansing, Michigan.  The military later had to suspend vaccinations after BioPoint was unable to deliver bio-terrorism vaccines, resulting in a shortage of vaccines needed to adequately protect our soldiers from bio-terrorism threats.  Therefore, with the past unsuccessful efforts of the private sector to provide the needed vaccinations to our military combined with the recent developments that have resulted in a shortage of supply for the public, the government must take responsibility to protect its citizens and the military.

While Members of Congress have been encouraged to receive the flu vaccine, I have refused.  I am 43 and healthy and feel the vaccine should be reserved for those at high risk of contracting the disease.  During my first term in office, I began meeting with Pentagon officials to work toward creating a Government Owned, Contractor Operated facility in Pine Bluff to provide the military with the vaccines they need to adequately protect themselves when fighting wars in foreign countries.  There is not an easy solution to this issue, but as your United States Representative, I will continue to ask the Pentagon to consider alternate ways to ensure the American people and the military are provided  the vaccines they need and deserve.