42 U.S.C. § 256c — Bulk purchases of vaccines for certain programs

(a) Agreements for purchases (1) In general: Within 180 days of October 27, 1992, the Secretary — acting through the CDC Director, in consultation with the HRSA Administrator — had to start negotiating with vaccine manufacturers to set up and maintain agreements. Under these agreements, eligible entities (see (2)) could buy vaccines from manufacturers at the agreed prices. (2) Relevant entities: The eligible entities are those that give vaccinations against vaccine-preventable diseases using help provided under section 254b. (b) Negotiation of prices The Secretary must try to make sure the prices in these agreements are comparable to the prices the Secretary already negotiates for grantees under section 247b(j)(1). (c) Authority of Secretary The Secretary can decide, at their discretion, whether to enter into these agreements (or decline to), and can modify, extend, or end them. (d) Rule of construction This section cannot be read to force any state to reduce or stop supplying vaccines to the entities described in (a)(2).