To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish seasonal influenza vaccines to certain individuals, and for other purposes.
Bill: H.R.5671 | Sponsor: Rep. Takano, Mark (D-CA)
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish a seasonal influenza vaccine through April 29, 2022, to covered individuals during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Under the bill, covered individuals are
The VA must prioritize the vaccination of (1) veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system, (2) veterans who fail to enroll but receive hospital care and medical services for specified disabilities in their first 12 months of separation from service, and (3) caregivers accompanying such prioritized veterans.
Under the bill, the VA is authorized to determine the timing for offering a vaccine to the spouse of a veteran.

To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish seasonal 
   influenza vaccines to certain individuals, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO FURNISH 
              SEASONAL INFLUENZA VACCINES TO CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS NOT 
              ENROLLED IN PATIENT ENROLLMENT SYSTEM OF DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    Section 2 of the SAVE LIVES Act (Public Law 117-4; 38 U.S.C. 1701 
note) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``a vaccine for COVID-19'' each place it 
        appears and inserting ``a vaccine for COVID-19, a seasonal 
        influenza vaccine, or both'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                inserting ``and seasonal influenza vaccines'' after 
                ``vaccines for COVID-19''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, seasonal 
                influenza vaccines, or both'' after ``vaccines for 
                COVID-19'';
            (3) in subsection (d), by striking ``Vaccine Allocation'' 
        in the heading and inserting ``COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation'';
            (4) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f);
            (5) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new 
        subsection (e):
    ``(e) Limitation on Furnishing Seasonal Influenza Vaccine.--A 
seasonal influenza vaccine may not be furnished under this section 
after April 29, 2022.'';
            (6) in subsection (f), as so redesignated--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph 
                (7); and
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following 
                new paragraph:
            ``(6) Seasonal influenza vaccine.--The term `seasonal 
        influenza vaccine' means any product that is--
                    ``(A) approved by the Food and Drug Administration;
                    ``(B) commercially available; and
                    ``(C) recommended by the Centers for Disease 
                Control and Prevention for the prevention of influenza 
                in a particular season.''; and
            (7) in the section heading by striking ``vaccine'' and 
        inserting ``and influenza vaccines''.

            Passed the House of Representatives November 15, 2021.

            Attest:

                                             CHERYL L. JOHNSON,

                                                                 Clerk.