Government Production of Vaccines Proposed
Anti-Terrorism Panel Doubts Private Sector Can Meet Needs
By Eric Pianin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, November 4, 2001; Page A07

A federal anti-terrorism commission headed by Virginia Gov. James S. Gilmore III (R) has recommended the creation of a national facility for the research and production of vaccines to combat biological terrorism.

Arguing that it will take direct government involvement to produce ample supplies of vaccines for anthrax, smallpox and other deadly bio-organisms, commission members proposed establishing a government-owned, contractor-operated national facility for the production of vaccines for especially dangerous diseases. "The private sector is unlikely to be the answer to some of the more difficult vaccine issues," the panel said in its latest report to the president.

The Defense Department has estimated that it would cost $1.5 billion to build a vaccine plant and operate it for 25 years. Only one company, BioPort Corp., produces anthrax vaccine, but its factory has been unable to ship any doses for three years because of production problems.

"Biological weapons are no longer a potential threat, but a real threat to the safety and security of the United States," Gilmore said. "A national laboratory for the development and production of vaccines is vital for our nation to build up its defenses and respond to a massive biological attack."

The panel, created by Congress to assess domestic response capabilities for terrorism involving weapons of mass destruction, approved preliminary recommendations in August that called for the creation of a homeland security adviser along the lines of the position created by President Bush last month and filled by former Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge (R).

In the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the panel rushed to prepare further recommendations that were released this week. They include improving health and medical capabilities to respond to the full scope of potential casualties from a terrorist attack, toughening immigration procedures and border control, improving state and local response to emergencies, and clarifying the roles and missions of the military in responding to emergencies and providing law enforcement assistance.