Tom Harkin: “I thank Senator Byrd for offering this important amendment which provides much-needed funding for our homeland security.…”

“I thank Senator Byrd for offering this important amendment which provides much-needed funding for our homeland security. Secondly, I thank Senator Byrd for including funding in his amendment to help States implement the President's plan for inoculating our first responders against the smallpox virus. A month ago, on December 13, President Bush announced his policy for vaccinating U.S. citizens against smallpox. He had a tough decision to make, and I support that decision. That same day, the Government began inoculating 500,000 armed services personnel and other Government officials working overseas, people who are most likely to encounter the smallpox virus. The second phase involves inoculating on a voluntary basis first responders and health care workers across the United States against smallpox. It is estimated that up to about 10 million Americans may fall into this category. Senator Specter and I have worked with the administration and Senators Byrd and Stevens since the events of September 11 to provide sufficient funds to produce the smallpox vaccine necessary to inoculate every American against smallpox if that becomes necessary. That money has been appropriated, and I understand the production of vaccine is well underway and that sufficient vaccine will be available by the end of the year. That was a good first step. It is one thing to produce the vaccine, but the administration of the vaccine also costs money.”