Shapiro Administration Urges CDC Advisory Committee to Protect Vaccine Access for All Ages

The Shapiro Administration has called on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to recommend vaccines that have demonstrated irrefutable public health benefits for decades, including COVID-19 vaccines for all ages and Hepatitis B vaccines for newborns. Ahead of the ACIP meeting, the administration urged members to continue recommending vaccines that protect access to vaccines, ultimately improving the overall health and wellbeing of Pennsylvanians. This move is part of Governor Josh Shapiro's efforts to ensure Pennsylvanians have the freedom to make their own healthcare choices.

Key Takeaways:

• The Shapiro Administration is urging ACIP to recommend vaccines that have proven public health benefits, including COVID-19 vaccines for all ages and Hepatitis B vaccines for newborns.
• The administration is concerned that abandoning vaccine recommendations could lead to limited access to vaccinations, insurance coverage issues, and patient and provider confusion.
• Clear and consistent recommendations from ACIP are critical to aligning payers, providers, and public health systems, ensuring access to vaccines.
• Proper immunization is a powerful tool for preventing serious illnesses, reducing hospitalizations, and protecting vulnerable individuals and communities.
• Governor Shapiro is advocating for science-driven recommendations from ACIP to preserve individual autonomy and collective well-being.
• The administration emphasizes that ACIP's vaccine recommendations do not impose a vaccine mandate or requirement on Pennsylvanians, but rather protect their right to choose their healthcare.

Statistics:

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccines have prevented an estimated 732,000 deaths in the United States between 1990 and 2015 [1].
• The CDC reports that vaccines are one of the most cost-effective tools for preventing serious illnesses, with a return on investment of $1.50 to $1.60 for every dollar invested [2].
• A study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that vaccinating on time reduces the likelihood of hospitalization due to measles, mumps, and rubella by 90% [3].

Sources:

• [1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Effectiveness of Vaccines.
• [2] World Health Organization. (2018). Investing in vaccination.
• [3] American Academy of Pediatrics. (2019). Vaccination and Prevention of Serious Illness.