Bush Outlines 7.1B Flu Fighting, Pharmaceautical Pocket Lining Program.

President Bush outlined a $7.1 billion strategy Tuesday to prepare for the danger of a pandemic influenza outbreak, saying he wanted to stockpile enough vaccine to protect 20 million Americans against the current strain of bird flu as a first wave of protection.

The president also said the United States must approve liability protection for the makers of lifesaving vaccines. He said the number of American vaccine manufacturers has plummeted because the industry has been hit with a flood of lawsuits.

Bush said no one knows when or where a deadly strain of flu will strike but "at some point we are likely to face another pandemic."

(Well he's done it again. After scaring the public with talk of creating militarized zones inside the U.S. in the event of an avian flu pandemic - Bush now stands before us with his newest "Look Over There" plan. Proposing to spend money on vaccinations is a good thing - but protecting drug manufacturer's from liability due to negligence is not. Once again this president shows which side his bought and paid for presidency is buttered on.)