Protecting Our Children from the CDC ActThis bill prohibits the inclusion of any COVID-19 vaccine on the child and adolescent immunization schedule (which lists the vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for those populations) unless all clinical data related to the safety and efficacy of the vaccine is published on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Impact
If enacted, HB 87 would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to disclose comprehensive safety and efficacy data before any COVID-19 vaccine can be included in immunization recommendations for children and adolescents. Furthermore, it mandates the removal of any COVID-19 vaccine already on the immunization schedule at the time of the bill's enactment, effectively pausing its administration until data is publicly available.
Summary
House Bill 87, titled the 'Protecting Our Children from the CDC Act', aims to amend the Public Health Service Act to impose restrictions on the inclusion of COVID-19 vaccines in the child and adolescent immunization schedule. The bill stipulates that no COVID-19 vaccine can be added to this schedule unless all relevant clinical data regarding its safety and efficacy is published on the CDC's public website. This effort is framed as a move towards greater transparency regarding the risks and benefits of such vaccines, creating a mechanism for public access to critical health information before regulatory decisions are made.
Contention
The bill has generated significant debate among lawmakers and public health advocates. Proponents argue that the legislation will enhance public trust in vaccines by ensuring the availability of detailed safety information. They believe it serves to protect children's health by promoting informed parental decisions regarding immunizations. Conversely, critics contend that the bill could unnecessarily delay vaccinations, adversely affecting community immunity and public health efforts against COVID-19. There are concerns that the requirement for extensive data publication may create barriers to timely vaccine updates needed to respond to emerging infectious diseases.
Supporting the role of the United States in helping save the lives of children and protecting the health of people in low-income countries with vaccines and immunization through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance ("Gavi").
A resolution supporting the role of the United States in helping save the lives of children and protecting the health of people in low-income countries with vaccines and immunization through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance ("Gavi").
Supporting the designation of the first week of April as "Adolescent Immunization Action Week" and recognizing the importance of encouraging vaccination for adolescents and young adults to protect against serious illness.
No Vaccine Passports Act This bill prohibits certain actions related to vaccine passports and proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Specifically, a federal agency may not issue a vaccine passport, vaccine pass, or other standardized documentation for the purpose of certifying the COVID-19 vaccination status of a U.S. citizen to a third party, or otherwise publish or share any COVID-19 vaccination record of a U.S. citizen or similar health information. Additionally, proof of COVID-19 vaccination shall not be required to access federal or congressional property or services.
This bill nullifies the order issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention titled Amended Order Implementing Presidential Proclamation on Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic and published on April 7, 2022. (The order restricts the entry of noncitizens who are not immigrants into the United States by air travel unless they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or otherwise attest that they will take public health measures to prevent the spread of the disease.) The bill also nullifies any successor or subsequent orders that require foreign persons traveling by air to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of entry and prohibits the use of federal funds to administer or enforce such a requirement.
This bill prohibits any entity that receives specified COVID-19 relief funds from mandating COVID-19 vaccines for its employees. An entity that violates this prohibition must return the funding it received.