Which federal act is designed to increase the availability of vaccines and lessen liability during public health emergencies?

The U.S. Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) is the correct answer because it was specifically enacted to facilitate a swift and effective response during public health emergencies, including pandemics. The PREP Act allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue emergency declarations that provide legal liability protections to individuals and entities involved in the administration of medical countermeasures, which includes vaccines. This protection encourages vaccine manufacturers and healthcare providers to engage in vaccinations without the fear of overwhelming liability, thus promoting the greater distribution and availability of vaccines when they are most urgently needed.

Contextually, while the Public Health Safety Act and the Vaccination Assistance Program address various public health initiatives, they do not specifically focus on liability protection during emergencies. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act primarily deals with patient care and emergency services in hospitals and does not encompass the broader scope of vaccine distribution and liability during public health crises.