But such systems are ideals, both McCormick and Fineberg acknowledged, which must face many logistic difficulties. Observers suggest that vaccine research and development will be stunted by the Clinton administration vaccination plan.

Pharmaceutical companies, faced with government-induced monopoly, would lose much of their profit margin under the new plan. And since part of the profit from vaccines goes into further research, the federally mandated price ceilings could result in decreased research.

Nonetheless, Fineberg believes the plan is consistent with vaccine research efforts since it provides an assured market for successful vaccines.

Fineberg also said research incentives to pharmaceutical companies, in the form of tax breaks and investment credits, could make up for some of the lost profits.

On the other hand, McCormick pointed out much of the current vaccine research in the United Stated is already subsidized by the National Institutes of Infectious Disease, whose support, she said, will "clearly continue."

The faculty members unanimously agreed a federal vaccine distribution program is a promising sign of an invigorated health care system in this country.

The proposal indicates "we have a President who has forcefully expressed concern in protecting newborns from preventable diseases and who has taken action to provide resources so that all people can have access to needed health care," Fineberg said.

'We have a President who...has taken action to provide resources so that all people can have access to needed health care.' School of Public Health Dean Harvey V. Fineberg '67