Bird-Flu Vaccine Makers to Get Protection , By KEVIN FREKING

WASHINGTON -- The government won't wait for bird flu to hit U.S. shores before granting liability protections to vaccine manufacturers and others that make products needed to battle a pandemic.

Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said Monday that the administration soon would enter into contracts for bird flu vaccine, rapid tests to detect the virus, and technology that would make the available vaccine go further.