Context:

In light of recent federal actions to limit vaccine approvals and usage, states and nonprofits are taking steps to ensure continued vaccine accessibility. Initiatives include forming expert panels to provide science-based vaccine recommendations, akin to the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The Northeast Public Health Collaboration, comprising nine states, aims to address federal support gaps and includes efforts to maintain vaccine infrastructure. States like Maine and Colorado have enacted laws to protect vaccine access independent of federal guidance, responding to the dismissal of ACIP members and changes in recommendations by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Nonprofits such as the Vaccine Integrity Project are working to counter vaccine misinformation and ensure that states can adapt their vaccine laws and funding mechanisms to maintain access despite federal changes.

Dive Deeper:

• States and nonprofits are working to create panels of experts to review vaccine science and make recommendations, similar to the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, amidst federal restrictions on vaccine approval and usage.

• The Northeast Public Health Collaboration, formed by nine states, seeks to address gaps in federal support and resources for public health, including vaccine support, pandemic preparedness, and other priorities.

• Maine has amended its vaccine access laws to allow for vaccine procurement outside federal programs, while Colorado has enacted legislation to maintain coverage for preventive services, including vaccines, despite potential federal changes.

• HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to overhaul ACIP and modify Covid-19 vaccine recommendations for certain groups has prompted states to reevaluate their strategies for providing vaccine access.

• Changes in ACIP recommendations can significantly impact state laws related to vaccine administration and education, affecting roles such as pharmacists and school enrollment requirements.

• Nonprofit initiatives like the Vaccine Integrity Project are addressing vaccine misinformation and working with states to adapt vaccine access laws and funding mechanisms to ensure continued distribution.

• The emergence of collaborative organizations to fill federal gaps in vaccine programs is seen as crucial, as these programs impact diverse communities across the country in varying ways.