HHS Secretary asked to back up smallpox claim

Jim Turner, D-Texas, ranking member of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security, also said that top Bush administration officials were not doing enough to protect the nation from a smallpox terrorist attack.

President Bush launched the national smallpox vaccination campaign in December 2002 to defend against a possible attack. Health officials originally planned to vaccinate 10.5 million emergency workers by late 2003. The campaign proved to be unpopular, however, and fewer than 40,000 emergency personnel have received the vaccine. Top health officials now say that the nation needs only 50,000 immunized personnel to handle a smallpox attack, and they have provided a new benchmark for readiness: A state must be prepared to immunize its entire population in 10 days.

In a January 2004 press conference, Thompson made the claim that the "vast majority" of states had met that goal. His statement has been sharply criticized by public health experts who have challenged the level of national preparedness and the scientific foundation for the 10-day benchmark.

In a letter Monday, Turner asked Thompson to provide evidence to support his January claim.

"I request that you provide the Select Committee on Homeland Security a list of those states and cities that you believe have achieved the 10-day standard and the data to support those claims," Turner said. "I also request that you provide the scientific basis relied upon by the administration for establishing the 10-day benchmark as an appropriate goal for smallpox preparedness."

A spokesman for Thompson said on Tuesday that he was not familiar with the letter and could not respond. In the past, health officials have said that the "vast majority" claim was based on biological terrorism preparedness plans submitted by the states. Those plans, however, are classified and are not subject to review.

Turner called on administration officials to jump-start the vaccination program and provide funding to state and local public health departments.

"The administration's budget requests no new funds to reinvigorate this program," Turner said. "I hope you will seriously consider taking stronger action at home to prepare our nation for a smallpox attack."