In a letter to their congressional colleagues this week, a bipartisan group of lawmakers highlighted the importance of immunizations which protect Americans—especially infants and children—against preventable serious and deadly diseases.
Vaccines are our front line of defense against infectious diseases, many of which have no treatment or can be life-threatening.
The representatives were clear in their central message: “Vaccines save lives.” The lawmakers pointed to the success of vaccinations in eliminating certain diseases in the U.S., including polio and measles. They noted that despite the effectiveness of vaccinations, there have already been reports this year of outbreaks of measles, mumps and whooping cough around the country, which presents a public health threat.
The letter was written by Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chairman Lamar Alexander, (R-TN), ranking member Patty Murray (D-WA), House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR), ranking member Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.), Health Subcommittee Chairman Michael Burgess (R-TX), and ranking member Gene Green, D-Texas.
The lawmakers wrote, “Vaccines are our front line of defense against infectious diseases, many of which have no treatment or can be life-threatening.” They said that with medical advancements “it is critical to recognize the importance of protecting public health against vaccine-preventable diseases.”
All 50 states in the U.S. now allow pharmacist-administered vaccinations and NACDS continues to advocate for expanded access to pharmacist-administered adolescent vaccinations. The ongoing effectiveness of vaccination—highlighted so effectively this week in the congressional letter—underscores the vital role pharmacy plays in improving patient health and outcomes with preventive, evidence-based approaches.
