The latest dismissal of all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices by the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Companies has stunned and saddened many people inside the medical and public well being communities. The sudden removing and subsequent collection of eight new members, together with these identified to be vaccine critics, raises critical concern concerning the continuity, credibility and scientific integrity of nationwide vaccine steering.
As the first physique advising the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention on vaccine schedules and security, ACIP performs an extremely vital position in defending the general public from infectious ailments. The removing of ACIP’s skilled, credentialed members — lots of whom have been appointed simply final 12 months, together with Dr. Helen Chu of Seattle — threatens to destabilize our current framework and probably delay vital decision-making, significantly contemplating the crucial position vaccines play in safeguarding the well being of older adults and people with power situations.
The Washington chapter of the Publish-Acute and Lengthy-Time period Care Medical Affiliation, which I symbolize, helps the response from PALTmed’s nationwide president, Dr. Sabine von Preyss-Friedman, who recently issued a statement expressing her concern over this determination.
Additional, within the absence of clear, trusted federal steering, we consider that Washington state should act decisively to make sure stability and consistency with our state’s public well being coverage. We name on Gov. Bob Ferguson, the Washington State Division of Well being and our state legislators to:
- Make sure the Washington State Vaccine Advisory Committee provides a swift response to the destabilized federal steering program to make sure Washingtonians proceed to have entry to really helpful vaccines, and their insurance coverage protection will present the preventative care that ensures optimum well being outcomes for our group.
- If the ACIP schedule modifications, VAC will reaffirm its dedication to evidence-based medication by publicly endorsing an immunization schedule that’s scientifically vetted and maintains in the present day’s rigorous requirements.
- Improve transparency and communication with well being care techniques, particular person physicians, nurse practitioners, doctor associates, public well being professionals and the general public to keep up belief in our state’s vaccination packages.
Washingtonians should know that their well being is being guided by science. Our state has lengthy been a frontrunner in public well being innovation and response, and we should always proceed to be proactive in outlining one of the best practices for our residents, particularly when confronted with instability in management on the nationwide degree.
As medical professionals who serve probably the most susceptible medical populations in our group — older adults, these in long-term and acute care settings and people with power illness — PALTmed members realized firsthand the crucial significance of clear, science-based medical steering and decisive management in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re asking our state leaders to behave now to safeguard the well being of our communities and supply constant, well-researched vaccine tips that reduce disruptions that will probably endanger public well being. Our sufferers deserve nothing much less.
