Biden administration releases plan for combating next pandemic
CBSN
The Biden administration has released its plan for combating the next pandemic, warning that a future pandemic could be even worse than COVID-19.
In a call with reporters, White House officials described an Apollo-like mission to coordinate all aspects of pandemic response in a centralized command. The administration's plan, which also addresses other biological threats, has several components: creating medical defenses (such as rapid production of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics); establishing early warning systems and real-time monitoring; modernizing public health infrastructure at home and abroad; improving supply chains, personal protective equipment availability and stockpiles; and establishing a pandemic mission control office. The plan would cost $65 billion over the next seven to 10 years, with $15 billion coming from the Democrats' $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill being considered on Capitol Hill. More funding would be needed for the additional $50 billion.More Related News