Member Forum: Please Help us Protect our Children from Infectious Diseases!
New York has always been a leader in the nation on public health issues! We thank the Governor and the Commissioner of Health for last week’s Executive Order which ensures access to updated COVID-19 vaccines for all New Yorkers. Similar action has been taken in other states, including Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, California, Washington and Oregon.
It has become very clear that the current federal administration’s strategy is to undermine the very institutions that Americans have always relied upon for science-based guidance in making health decisions for ourselves and our families. This collapse of a trusted institution has happened very quickly, such that a former Director of the CDC has said that the CDC’s website no longer provides accurate vaccine guidance. And, the misinformation is being acted upon; Florida has already indicated that they are considering taking the reckless action of ending vaccine mandates for children attending Florida schools.
All children are precious. We must ensure that New York retains the authority, independent of the federal government, to use appropriate expertise and science-based guidance to drive its policy for vaccines for children. New York must not be constrained by misguided federal actions.
What’s the Issue and Why Does it Matter?
Before 2025, when the Trump administration assumed control, the FDA would first decide if a particular vaccine could be marketed in the United States. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) would then issue guidance on the particular populations who should receive the vaccine and on what schedule. This guidance would be based upon a careful review, by experts in the field, of all the scientific and clinical trial information available. This process was followed to ensure that sound, safe public health policy could best serve the American population. Alarmingly, this process has now been intentionally politicized.
The Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has dismissed all of the experienced members of the previous ACIP and installed new members who either have no experience in the area, or who explicitly represent the views of the anti-vaccine community. The published agenda for the upcoming ACIP meeting scheduled for September 18, 2025 includes a discussion of children’s vaccines and the previously recommended immunization schedule, as determined by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). It is widely believed that the re-formed ACIP is likely to address the cumulative effects of vaccines on the current recommended schedule for children and adolescents, as well as to reconsider the use of hepatitis B vaccination at birth and the measles/mumps/rubella virus (MMRV) vaccine in young children.
Removing vaccines from the recommended schedule will harm individuals by lowering their level of protection, and put immuno-compromised individuals at greater risk of infection, including older adults and those battling cancer. Public health experts and pediatric physicians are very concerned about the national impact of changed recommendations on the health of young children and the likely spread of infectious diseases in the population.
What Action Can You Take to Help Protect New York’s children?
You can help by urging Governor Hochul and Health Commissioner James McDonald to quickly develop a mechanism to protect New York’s autonomy in deciding the immunization policy for the children of New York State.
One significant approach is already in the works. But, to be successful, it needs your voice. Two Democratic legislators, Assemblyman Micah Lasher and Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal have proposed legislation which would authorize a licensed pharmacist to administer any recommendations made by the Commissioner of Health pertaining to a vaccine that has been authorized by the Federal Food and Drug Administration and removes the previous requirement to follow the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
These Bills are A08383A and S07823-A
Passing of these Bills would solve the vaccine insanity we are experiencing, however, the State Legislature will not be in Session until January 2026. This is too late. We need a Special Session of the Legislature.
Surely, If Governor Abbott can call a Special Session in Texas for blatant gerrymandering, Governor Hochul or the Legislature Itself can Call a Special Session to Protect our Children!
Below are scripts for calls and emails to Governor Hochul and Commissioner McDonald. Please help!
Phone number for Governor Hochul: 518-474-8390
Email for Governor Hochul: https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form
Dear Governor Hochul:
I am writing/calling to express my concern regarding the reckless actions of the federal government with regard to access to vaccines, especially for children. I congratulate you for your recent Executive Order ensuring broad access to updated COVID-19 vaccines, however, now we need to protect our children by ensuring NY’s autonomy in determining vaccine policy. I strongly urge you to call for a Special Session to pass the Lasher/Hoylman-Sigal proposed legislation as soon as possible.
Phone Number for Commissioner of Health McDonald: 518-474-2011
Email for Commissioner of Health McDonald: James.McDonald@health.ny.gov
Dear Commissioner McDonald:
I am writing/calling to express my concern regarding the reckless actions of the federal government with regard to access to vaccines, especially for children. I congratulate you and your Department, for working with Governor Hochul on the Executive Order ensuring broad access to updated COVID-19 vaccines. I look forward to seeing your Department’s vaccine guidance and urge you to release it as soon as possible. Now, however, we need to protect our children by ensuring New York’s autonomy in determining vaccine policy. I strongly urge you to work with Governor Hochul and call for a Special Session of the Legislature to pass the Lasher/Hoylman-Sigal proposed legislation as soon as possible.