Protecting America from Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]
Introduced
Summary
A permanent, well-funded national strategy for influenza preparedness. It sets fast timelines for vaccine delivery and a 10-year goal for a universal flu vaccine while building manufacturing, stockpile, diagnostics, and communications capacity.
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- Families: Faster access to vaccines and treatments through a 12-week first-dose delivery goal and test‑to‑treat demonstrations in long‑term care, Indian Health Service sites, and community clinics.
- Health systems and public health agencies: More surge and supply-chain support, including $1.0 billion a year for the Strategic National Stockpile and $307.0 million a year for hospital preparedness.
- Researchers and manufacturers: Sustained R&D and manufacturing readiness with $270.0 million a year for universal flu vaccine research and $335.0 million a year for pandemic influenza program activities (2027–2031).
*Authorizes recurring mandatory federal funding for a broad set of influenza preparedness programs, which would increase federal outlays.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
National vaccine goals and timelines
If enacted, the bill would set two national goals: develop a universal influenza vaccine within 10 years and build capacity within three years to deliver first doses of a finished pandemic vaccine within 12 weeks of a new strain. HHS, NIH, and BARDA must publish a universal vaccine plan within one year and a 12‑week delivery plan within six months. HHS must also report to Congress annually on implementation through 2030.
Annual funding for flu preparedness
If enacted, the bill would authorize recurring annual appropriations for influenza preparedness starting in fiscal year 2027. Major yearly authorizations would include about $1.0 billion for the Strategic National Stockpile and hundreds of millions for CDC, NIH, and hospital preparedness programs. BARDA would also get $335 million per year for each fiscal year 2027 through 2031 to carry out the pandemic influenza authorities in the bill.
Stronger vaccine manufacturing and stockpiles
If enacted, HHS would create a BARDA Pandemic Influenza Medical Countermeasures Program to support vaccine and therapeutic research, manufacturing readiness, and lifecycle management. The bill would require the Strategic National Stockpile to add pandemic-specific products, diversify inventories, and use vendor-managed approaches and replenishment plans. The Food and Drug Administration would work with vaccine makers to modernize potency assays with the goal of cutting the first evaluation time for new vaccine candidates by six weeks.
Influenza test-to-treat access plan
If enacted, HHS would start an influenza test-to-treat demonstration within one year and run it for one flu season. The Secretary could award grants to states so pharmacy personnel can give vaccines, tests, and therapeutics to adults and children. HHS would monitor antiviral supplies, publicly report regional shortages, and set a rapid distribution process for urgent need areas. HHS must publish, within one year, a plan to ensure access to therapeutics, antibody products, and diagnostics for high-risk, high-exposure, low-income, Medicaid, uninsured, Tribal, and other underserved groups.
More home and point-of-care tests
If enacted, NIH and BARDA would prioritize research and development of broad 'agnostic' detection tools, automated sample preparation, and rapid sequencing to speed detection. BARDA, working with CDC, NIH, and FDA, would support development of rapid, accurate tests that people can use at home or read at the point of care. The bill would also direct investments to strengthen CDC's molecular detection and data modernization work.
Vaccine confidence and targeted outreach
If enacted, HHS would run a public-private vaccine confidence demonstration within six months focused on people with chronic illness and comorbidities. HHS would create ongoing partnerships with groups experienced in serving seniors, parents, Tribal communities, racial and ethnic minorities, and rural areas and would consult them before and after each flu season. CDC would also send Congress an annual report on its public communication strategy to increase vaccine confidence.
Health defense budget rules and reporting
If enacted, the bill would add a 'health defense operations' label to budget law and require that labeled appropriations be totaled and listed account-by-account. Appropriations reports would have to specify each program and its dollar amount. Starting in fiscal year 2028, CDC, NIH, and the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response would submit annual health-defense budget estimates directly to the President for transmittal to Congress.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]
WA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]
NC • D
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Stansbury
NM • D
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Barragan
CA • D
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
MI • D
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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