Political Quotes

“I am pleased to support of S. 895, the Vaccines for the New Millennium Act of 2001. In an age where antibiotics are taken for granted, we often forget that one fourth of all deaths worldwide, over 13 million people annually, are the result of infectious disease. In the next hour alone, 1,500 will die from an infectious disease such as AIDS, malaria, TB or pneumonia, over half those who die will be under the age of 5 years old. The developing world suffers a disproportionate burden of infectious disease deaths, which destroy lives and perpetuate poverty and sickness, undermining gains in economic growth, education and life expectancy. Vaccines, the most cost-effective weapons in the fight against infectious diseases, have eradicated smallpox, nearly eliminated polio from the planet, and dramatically lowered measles rates. Yet vaccines are not reaching all those who need them. The expanded use of currently available vaccines, such as those for tetanus, measles and hepatitis could save up to 4 million children every year.”