# Summary of S. 3219: Protecting America from Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza Act of 2023
This bill establishes a comprehensive national strategy to prepare for and respond to seasonal and pandemic influenza threats. It sets ambitious goals including delivering first doses of a new flu vaccine within 12 weeks of an emerging pandemic strain within three years, and developing a universal flu vaccine within 10 years. The legislation creates new programs focused on vaccine development, manufacturing, testing, and treatment, while directing government agencies to strengthen domestic vaccine supply chains and incorporate pandemic planning lessons from COVID-19.
To increase vaccination rates and address vaccine hesitancy, the bill requires public education campaigns, partnerships with community organizations, and demonstration projects to expand access to flu vaccines and treatments through pharmacies and at-home testing. It also emphasizes health equity by prioritizing outreach to vulnerable populations including racial and ethnic minorities, seniors, and people with chronic conditions.
The bill authorizes substantial new federal spending across multiple programs: $335 million annually through 2028 for pandemic influenza preparedness at the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, plus recurring annual appropriations for CDC influenza planning, vaccine research, immunization programs, and the Strategic National Stockpile totaling billions of dollars. Various agencies including the CDC, NIH, and Department of Health and Human Services are directed to complete implementation plans and submit progress reports to Congress, primarily by 2024 and 2025.
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