Washington must not limit access to childhood vaccines
The politicization of public health, growing misinformation, and unnecessary shifts in federal recommendations opposed by the medical community are fueling confusion over proven childhood vaccines. Despite that, Americans have continued to make clear their desire to maintain widespread access to vaccines and keep decision-making on immunization between them and their physicians.
TL;DR
- A recent executive order rewriting the federal childhood vaccine schedule is facing opposition from a majority of voters.
- Voters believe immunization decisions should be between parents and physicians, not dictated by the federal government.
- Changes to the vaccine schedule can impact insurance coverage, federal supply programs, and state-level administration by pharmacists.
- The directive to replace the MMR vaccine with separate shots is problematic as individual vaccines are not currently licensed in the U.S. and could take a decade to reintroduce.
- Polling indicates that most voters oppose the executive order and support maintaining vaccine requirements for public schools.