Office of the Secretary (OS), (HHS).
Notice.
Concern that terrorists may have access to the smallpox virus and attempt to use it against the American public and United States Government facilities abroad continues to exist. The January 24, 2003, declaration regarding administration of smallpox countermeasures is revised to incorporate statutory definitions from the Smallpox Emergency Personnel Protection Act of 2003 and extended for one year until and including January 23, 2008.
This notice and the attached amendment are effective as of January 24, 2007.
Rear Admiral William C. Vanderwagen, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response and Chief
Section 224(p) of the Public Health Service Act, which was established by section 304 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and amended by section 3 of the Smallpox Emergency Personnel Act of 2003 (“SEPPA”), is intended to alleviate certain liability concerns associated with administration of smallpox countermeasures and, therefore, ensure that the countermeasures are available and can be administered in the even of a smallpox-related actual or potential public health emergency such as a bioterrorist incident.
On January 24, 2003, due to concerns that terrorists may have access to the smallpox virus and attempt to use it against the American public and U.S. Government facilities abroad, the Secretary issued a declaration making section 224's legal protections available. The declaration was effective until and including January 23, 2004; it included in section VI a number of definitions, which are no longer appropriate because of the statutory amendments in section 3 of SEPPA.
On January 24, 2004, the Secretary amended the definitions contained in the January 24, 2003 declaration in light of the statutory amendments in section 3 of SEPPA because such definitions were no longer appropriate, and extended the declaration for one year until January 23, 2005. On January 24, 2005, the Secretary extended the declaration for another year through January 23, 2006. On January 24, 2006, the Secretary extended the declaration for another year through January 23, 2007. Pursuant to section 224(p)(2)(A), the Secretary issues the amendment below to extend for one year, up to and including January 23, 2008, the January 24, 2003 declaration, as amended.
Amendment To Extend January 24, 2003 Declaration Regarding Administration of Smallpox Countermeasures.
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