U.S. House Approves $3.8 Billion for Avian Flu

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives Monday approved $3.78 billion to begin preparing for a possible avian flu epidemic, including stockpiling potential vaccines, training emergency officials and increasing international surveillance.

The money is about half of what the Bush administration requested earlier this year.

Following hours of late-night negotiations between top Republicans in the Senate and House, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee succeeded in including a provision to protect vaccine, drug and medical device makers against lawsuits in a public health or bioterror emergency.

The avian flu funding was attached to an unrelated defense spending bill passed by the House by a vote of 308-106 that faces an uncertain future in the Senate later this week.

Consumer and health groups opposed the vaccine liability provisions, which were sought by pharmaceuticals, saying it would protect companies from "gross negligence."

Some lawmakers said the measure could make medical personnel and other emergency workers reluctant to get vaccinated if there was a chance they could suffer negative reactions and not get compensated.

The language "gives carte blanche to the vaccine companies, but doesn't provide a mechanism" for people if they are injured by a vaccination, said Rep. Dan Burton, an Indiana Republican.

Avian flu has been sweeping through poultry flocks in Asia and more recently into eastern Europe. The deadly animal disease has killed at least 139 people.

Scientists fear that if the disease becomes more easily transmitted to humans, a pandemic could unfold, killing millions.

Earlier this year, the Senate passed legislation calling for $8 billion in funds to prepare for an avian flu pandemic. But conservative Republicans in Congress opposed the higher spending, citing concerns about the huge U.S. budget deficit.