What does STRENGTHENING AND DIVERSIFYING INFLUENZA VACCINE, THERAPEUTICS, of Protecting America from Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes national goals for influenza vaccine delivery and development. A national goal is to deliver first doses of finished influenza vaccine within 12 weeks of an influenza strain with pandemic potential, not later than 3 years after enactment. The Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, and the Director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority must publish a plan to achieve this goal within 6 months of enactment. Another national goal is to have developed a universal influenza vaccine within 10 years of enactment. The Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Director of the National Institutes of Health, and the Director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority must publish a plan to achieve this goal within 1 year of enactment, partnering with vaccine manufacturers. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is directed to strengthen the domestic vaccine supply chain through public-private partnerships and evaluate its capabilities. The domestic vaccine supply chain includes production of ingredients, manufacturing and distribution of finished vaccines, fill-finish capacity, and ancillary supplies. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must fully implement the National Influenza Vaccine Modernization Strategy 2020-2030 and submit an annual report to Congress through 2030. Section 2811 of the Public Health Service Act is amended to include the pandemic influenza medical countermeasures program. The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority is directed to support pandemic influenza countermeasure preparedness, including research and development activities and stockpile management.

What does PROMOTING INNOVATIVE APPROACHES AND USE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO of Protecting America from Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza Act of 2026 do?

This section promotes innovative approaches to detect, prevent, and respond to influenza. The Director of the National Institutes of Health may conduct or support basic research on agnostic tools and technologies for sample preparation. The Director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority may support advanced development of novel sequencing modalities. Development of point-of-care and self-testing diagnostics is supported. Diagnostics supply chain resiliency is incorporated into influenza pandemic planning. Scaling up prophylactic influenza antibody products is supported. Potency assays are to be modernized to reduce evaluation time for new vaccine candidates. Improved influenza therapeutics are supported, including those for high-risk and high-exposure patients.

What does INCREASING INFLUENZA VACCINE, THERAPEUTICS, AND TESTING ACCESS of Protecting America from Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza Act of 2026 do?

This section focuses on increasing influenza vaccine, therapeutics, and testing access and coverage across all populations. The Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must submit an annual report to Congress detailing the CDC’s public communication strategy to increase vaccine confidence. Congress expresses its sense that multiple federal agencies should support research using large health datasets to evaluate vaccine safety and effectiveness. The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) is directed to create partnerships to educate individuals about influenza vaccine safety and efficacy, and the harms of influenza, particularly for the unvaccinated. These partnerships must include representatives from organizations experienced in working with vulnerable populations, such as individuals with chronic conditions, older Americans, parents, pregnant women, Tribal communities, racial and ethnic minorities, and rural communities. HHS must implement a targeted demonstration project to establish a public-private partnership for increasing vaccine confidence, focusing on individuals with chronic illness and vaccine hesitancy. The CDC Director and Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response must incorporate health outreach into influenza planning and response programs, targeting rural communities, low-income individuals, racial and ethnic minorities, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. A test-to-treat demonstration project will be initiated to expand access to influenza treatment. The Secretary of Health and Human Services may award grants to states to create pathways for pharmacy personnel to administer influenza vaccines, tests, and therapeutics. The Strategic National Stockpile will incorporate products needed to respond to pandemic influenza, including antivirals, testing equipment, and supplies. HHS must publish a plan for ensuring access to influenza therapeutics, preexposure prophylaxis, and diagnostics, particularly for high-risk, high-exposure, and underserved populations.

What does AUTHORIZING SUSTAINABLE FUNDING FOR THE INFLUENZA ECOSYSTEM. of Protecting America from Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza Act of 2026 do?

This section authorizes appropriations for various health programs and activities. Funding is authorized for fiscal year 2027 and each subsequent fiscal year. Programs include influenza planning and response, Strategic National Stockpile, and hospital preparedness. Research for a universal flu vaccine is also authorized. The section amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 regarding health defense operations.

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Protecting America from Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza Act of 2026

Q: What does Preamble of Protecting America from Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled 'To protect against seasonal and pandemic influenza, and for other purposes.' The bill aims to protect against seasonal and pandemic influenza.

Q: What does SHORT TITLE. of Protecting America from Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled Protecting America from Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza Act of 2026

Q: What does FINDINGS. of Protecting America from Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza Act of 2026 do?

The Congress finds that influenza occurs seasonally and has caused devastating pandemics. Influenza results in significant deaths, hospitalizations, and illnesses in the United States each year. The economic impact of seasonal influenza is substantial, with estimated annual costs of $361 billion. Strategies to increase seasonal influenza vaccination rates can improve pandemic readiness. The National Influenza Vaccine Modernization Strategy should be fully implemented to reduce the impact of influenza viruses.

Last updated: 4/22/2026 · Introduced: 4/22/2026

Author: Rick Larsen (D-WA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes national goals to deliver influenza vaccines within 12 weeks of identifying a potential pandemic strain and to develop a universal influenza vaccine within 10 years.
The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to strengthen the domestic influenza vaccine supply chain through partnerships and evaluate its capabilities.
It promotes innovative approaches to influenza detection, prevention, and response, including supporting research on new technologies and diagnostics.
The bill mandates the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop a public communication strategy to increase vaccine confidence and directs the Department of Health and Human Services to create partnerships to educate individuals about influenza.
This legislation authorizes funding for influenza planning, the Strategic National Stockpile, hospital preparedness, and research toward a universal flu vaccine.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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