State to get bioterrorism readiness funds

WASHINGTON – Maine will receive more than $10.5 million for community bioterrorism preparedness from the Fiscal Year 2003 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which contained a total of $3.5 billion for bioterrorism preparedness, including research into potential bioterror disease agents and potential treatments and vaccines.

Maine will be able to use $7,603,092 to enhance public health systems and the additional $2,943,648 to support hospital preparedness for possible bioterror or other mass casualty events, including smallpox vaccinations, according to U.S. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe, who announced the funding Friday.

Snowe said Maine will be able to receive up to 20 percent, or $2,109,348 of this funding immediately, and will be notified in the coming days of the application process to get the rest. The advanced funding will be used to support smallpox vaccinations for health workers and emergency responders and to support activities already approved in the 2002 state plans which need additional resources now. The remainder of the funding will be allocated to Maine after it submits a work plan outlining public health and hospital preparedness activities, including regional planning for areas that cross state lines, Snowe said.

“I have met with emergency preparedness officials and first responders throughout Maine and I continuously hear two important points – states need more funding for bioterrorism preparedness and that funding must be flexible,” she said.

“Our frontline community officials are charged with protecting the citizens of their states and we must ensure they have adequate resources and training to respond to any attacks and to protect the health of those in their community,” Snowe said. “This funding is coming at the right time and I encourage Maine to apply for expedited funds so they can meet their growing needs immediately.”