BIO Praises Vaccine Access, Certainty, and Innovation Act of 2015

Washington, D.C. (February 6, 2015) – The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) applauds the introduction of the Vaccine Access, Certainty, and Innovation Act of 2015. Sponsored by Representatives Renee Ellmers (R-NC) and G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), the Act is expected to be an important part of the Energy & Commerce Committee’s 21st Century Cures Initiative and would modernize the discovery, development, and delivery of vaccines.

The following statement may be attributed to BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood:

“Vaccines have long been one of the most important and effective public health interventions, preventing millions of illnesses and deaths in the U.S. and around the world.

“As much progress as vaccines have enabled us to make, much more work remains to be done. New vaccines are still needed in many areas, including against global infectious diseases like TB, malaria and HIV, emerging infectious diseases like Ebola and Marburg, and against methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other antibiotic-resistant infectious agents.

“The Vaccine Access, Certainty, and Innovation Act of 2015 would substantially stimulate new vaccine research and improve patient access to existing vaccines, enhancing their public health impact. Among several important provisions, the Act would:

•             Increase the transparency and consistency of the process used by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to develop vaccine recommendations;

•             Formalize meetings between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and vaccine developers throughout the product development process to share information, including public health priorities and epidemiological data;

•             Help ensure access to vaccines by encouraging prompt coverage by Medicare and the establishment of programs to increase adult immunization by health plans;

•             Require the issuance of Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) guidance to facilitate the use of accelerated and expedited pathways for vaccine development and licensure; and

•             Affirm the role of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in vaccine research and development, including translational science, and require a comprehensive review of current vaccine programs being conducted or supported by the agency.

“I thank Representatives Ellmers and Butterfield for their leadership in authoring and sponsoring this important legislation. We look forward to continuing to work with them and their colleagues on the House Energy and Commerce Committee on this bill as well as other components of the 21st Century Cures Initiative.”
 

Upcoming BIO Events 

BIO CEO & Investor Conference
February 9-10, 2015
New York City, NY

BIO-Europe Spring
March 9-11, 2015
Paris, France

BIO Asia International Conference
March 24-25, 2015
Tokyo, Japan

BioEquity Europe
May 19-20, 2015
Vienna, Austria

BIO International Convention
June 15-18, 2015
Philadelphia, PA

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