Sen. Harkin Releases Statement on H1N1 Flu Confirmation

Press Release from Sen. Harkin's Office

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: May 2, 2009 at 12:23 PM CST

Story Updated: May 2, 2009 at 12:23 PM CST

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today issued the following statement as Governor Culver announced the first confirmed case of H1N1 in Iowa.

“We have known that this virus can and will spread, so I am saddened, but not surprised to learn that H1N1 has hit our state. Keep in mind, the flu season impacts Iowans every year, but what makes the H1N1 outbreak different is that we have not seen this strain before. The fact remains that we are prepared to address it and also better prepared to develop a vaccine against this particular flu. Existing resources such as funding for state and local public health officials as well as an existing stockpile of antivirals have already started going out to states.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 44 million courses of the stockpile have been shipped with Iowa receiving over 109,520 courses of antivirals and over 446,405 units of personal protective equipment for public health officials.

“As prepared as we are, this outbreak reminds us that our country must continue to invest in flu-related efforts. President Obama has requested additional funding for preparedness and I look forward to working with his White House to include it in the supplemental funding bill currently moving through Congress.”

As chairman of the Appropriations subcommittee that funds health programs, Harkin has taken the lead in providing funding to prepare for a future flu pandemic. Since Fiscal Year 2006, his subcommittee has provided more than $6 billion for these activities. President Obama has requested $1.5 billion to respond to the current influenza and Harkin is working to include funding in the supplemental spending bill currently moving through Congress.

Yesterday, Harkin introduced The Seasonal Influenza and Pandemic Preparation Act of 2009, legislation that would establish a nationwide voluntary influenza vaccination program under which any individual may receive an annual influenza vaccine, free of charge.

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