Washington (December 23, 2020) – As 190.4 million flu vaccines have been distributed in the United States so far this flu season, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) announced he helped secure $220 million in the year-end spending package for research for the creation of a universal influenza vaccine that could protect against multiple strains of the flu virus and offer longer lasting protection. The flu costs the nation at least $3.2 billion in direct medical costs annually and $87 billion in total economic burden. With increased vaccination rates this flu season, paired with stay-at-home orders, incidence of flu cases are down 91 percent from November 2019. Last April, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) began its first clinical trial of an innovative universal influenza vaccine candidate.

“With the creation of the coronavirus vaccine, we have seen what happens when we fully empower scientists with the funding to research and innovate,” said Senator Markey. “Now, we have to do the same with the creation of a universal flu vaccine and enhance our response to this global scourge. With the additional research funding in this year-end spending bill, we will supercharge our ability to predict the right strain for the next season, produce a more optimal vaccine, and protect all Americans against all strains of this virus.”

Senator Markey and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) previously introduced the Flu Vaccine Act, legislation to conduct or support comprehensive research for the creation of a universal influenza vaccine that could protect against multiple strains of the flu virus and offer longer lasting protection. The legislation calls for a total investment of $1 billion – $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024 for NIH. Senator Markey and his colleagues were able to secure a dedicated $100 million, $140 million, and $200 million for fiscal years 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively, for universal flu vaccine research at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases within NIH.