The Peru Gazette

WASHINGTON – Last week, the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee approved Congressman Bill Owens’ funding request for the Trudeau Institute in Saranac Lake.  Funding in the amount of $2,000,000 will be used to develop an advanced pandemic influenza vaccine program for the United States Navy.

“In order to keep our troops healthy and ensure our ability to maintain national security, the development of vaccines like this is an urgent military and public health priority,” said Owens. “The tremendous work performed at Trudeau for years makes the facility an ideal location for this program.”

Current vaccines against influenza have serious limitations in terms of their production, administration and effectiveness.  The proposed project will advance the development of new techniques for enhancing vaccine effectiveness to promote troop readiness and general health of the members of the Armed Services and their dependents. More powerful vaccines are far more cost effective than influenza treatments, particularly for deployed service members.  This project will enhance national security and protect taxpayer investments into the health and wellbeing of American soldiers.

Now that the subcommittee has approved the funding, it must also be approved by the full committee before it can be brought to the House floor for a vote. Once the bill is passed in the House, it must then be approved by the Senate before it can be considered by the president.

“This is only the first step in the process, but we are fortunate to clear the first hurdle with this program,” added Owens. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure this project continues to move along and is approved by the president.”

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