WASHINGTON — The Governors Public Health Alliance (PHA) issued the following statement regarding the Trump administration’s executive order directing changes to the federal childhood vaccine schedule:
“Governors are responsible for protecting the health of their communities and rely on clear, credible, evidence-based guidance to make informed public health decisions. For decades, the U.S. childhood immunization schedule was developed through a rigorous scientific process required by law that evaluates the safety and effectiveness of vaccines and how they should be given to patients. This transparent, expert-led process has helped prevent serious diseases, reduce hospitalizations, and save millions of lives.
“President Trump’s Executive Order directing changes to longstanding federal vaccine recommendations circumvents that process and defies scientific consensus. It also risks causing confusion and endangering our children.
“Parents should know that vaccines currently available in the United States remain available and that the Executive Order does not change that. Governors and state public health leaders hold the power to continue working with healthcare providers, schools, and local health agencies to ensure that parents have access to trusted information and can make informed decisions regarding the health of their children.
“The Governors Public Health Alliance was proud to support a challenge to the Trump Administration’s previous attempt to rewrite childhood vaccination policy in defiance of science, and we will continue to work across state lines to protect access to the evidence-based care that this Executive Order so regrettably rejects.”
###
About the Governors Public Health Alliance
The Governors Public Health Alliance (PHA) is a nonpartisan coalition of Governors—representing approximately one in three people in the U.S.—working together to strengthen public health systems, protect access to evidence-based care, and coordinate responses to health threats across state lines. PHA recently supported a challenge to HHS’s attempts to rewrite childhood vaccination policy (see here). An initiative of GovAct, the Alliance brings together Governors and senior state officials to share best practices, reinforce scientific integrity, and ensure communities receive clear, credible health information. To learn more, go to www.GovsforHealth.org.
About GovAct
Governors Action Alliance (GovAct) is a nonpartisan nonprofit initiative that helps Governors work across state lines to champion fundamental freedoms and improve people’s lives. GovAct serves as a central platform for collaboration across Governors’ Offices—incubating, launching, and supporting alliances of Governors. These alliances share cutting-edge policy and legal approaches to some of the most challenging and critical issues we face, from reproductive freedom and democracy to public safety and health. To learn more, go to www.GovActAlliance.org.