Rogers seeks probe over vaccine
Lansing State Journal
WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, has called for a probe into the government's awarding of an $877.5 million contract to VaxGen to develop an experimental anthrax vaccine. Rogers said the California company's failure to deliver the vaccine to the Health and Human Services Department and reports that VaxGen exaggerated its benefits have raised concerns.
VaxGen was warned in a March 24 letter from the FDA about "false and misleading statements" about its vaccine and how it compared to one made by Lansing-based BioPort Corp. BioPort, the nation's only licensed manufacturer of the vaccine, was awarded a $122.7 million contract in May to make 5 million doses of an anthrax vaccine.
Rogers said he has received mixed signals from HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt about the agency's next vaccine contract. Leavitt said last month he had authorized the purchase of additional vaccines, but Rogers and BioPort said the contract has not yet been awarded.
WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, has called for a probe into the government's awarding of an $877.5 million contract to VaxGen to develop an experimental anthrax vaccine. Rogers said the California company's failure to deliver the vaccine to the Health and Human Services Department and reports that VaxGen exaggerated its benefits have raised concerns.
VaxGen was warned in a March 24 letter from the FDA about "false and misleading statements" about its vaccine and how it compared to one made by Lansing-based BioPort Corp. BioPort, the nation's only licensed manufacturer of the vaccine, was awarded a $122.7 million contract in May to make 5 million doses of an anthrax vaccine.
Rogers said he has received mixed signals from HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt about the agency's next vaccine contract. Leavitt said last month he had authorized the purchase of additional vaccines, but Rogers and BioPort said the contract has not yet been awarded.
