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In a new video, Bob Graham and Jim Talent of the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism, ask: “Why weren’t H1N1 vaccines available for children before school started?” and urge the public to pressure government officials to improve the speed and capacity of U.S. vaccine production.

The two-minute video (below) and resources are available at www.FasterVaccines.org. It is part of the Commission’s effort to engage citizens on issues of bioterrorism and weapons of mass destruction.

“WHY WEREN’T H1N1 VACCINES AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED?” VIDEO (ABOVE)

“Whether the threat is from naturally occurring disease or bioterrorism, the United States needs to be able to produce vaccines and other medicines faster and less expensively. We had six months of advance warning for the H1N1 pandemic. A bioterrorism attack will have no advance warning,” said former senator Graham, chairman of the Commission. “Creating the infrastructure for rapid development of large quantities of safe vaccines and medicine is a win-win for public health and national security.”

According to Graham, the United States—unlike the European Union and China—continues to use a 60-year old production method, using chicken eggs, to make H1N1 and other important vaccines. Modern methods will shave months off the typical six-to-nine months that current processes require. These newer methods can produce more vaccine and be quickly scaled-up, on demand.

“We want the public to know there are better options,” said Commission vice chairman Talent, “and encourage policymakers to have the foresight to invest in them.”