Washington, D.C.– Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) released the following statement after the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) announcement that they are granting approval of Trumenba, the first vaccine licensed in the U.S. to prevent contraction of Meningitis B.

“The approval of this vaccine is an important step toward giving Americans the ability to protect themselves from a ruthless bacteria that has taken lives as recently as two weeks ago. With most cases of Meningitis B occurring on college campuses, this is welcome news for students who are most at risk of contracting this disease. I urge the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to work quickly to develop an effective strategy of distributing the vaccine.

“While this news is certainly welcome, the question still remains why Americans must wait longer than others in Europe, Canada, and Australia for life-saving drugs. I’m committed to working with leadership at the FDA to refine its processes and eliminate unnecessary delays so that our citizens won’t continue to be the last to benefit from the outstanding medical innovation we have in the U.S.”

Congressman Paulsen wrote an opinion piece earlier this year warning that not approving the Meningitis B vaccine could lead to more deaths on college campuses. In addition, Congressman Paulsen traveled to Canada in August to receive a Meningitis B vaccination.

Paulsen, a champion of small business and advocate of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation, serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, and is co-chair of the Congressional Medical Technology Caucus.

For more information on Congressman Paulsen’s work in Congress visit paulsen.house.gov. 

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