March 25, 2015
Dear Representatives Schiff, Dent, Marino, and Welch:
As participants in the Adult Vaccine Access Coalition (AVAC) we would like to take this opportunity to commend you and all of the cosponsors for your leadership in introducing H.Res. 117, Recognizing the importance of vaccinations and immunizations in the United States.
We share your view that the reduction and elimination of infectious diseases by national immunization programs are one of the greatest public health achievements in modern times. For the past 60 years, national efforts to provide expanded access to immunization against a growing variety of vaccine-preventable conditions have stayed serious and life-threatening illnesses and their complications and saved the lives of millions.
AVAC is comprised of leaders in health and public health who are committed to tackling the range of barriers to adult immunization, and to raise awareness of and to engage in advocacy on the importance of adult immunization. Our mission is informed by a growing body of scientific and empirical evidence of the benefits of routine immunization in improving health, protecting lives, as well as saving healthcare costs.
The principal objective of AVAC is to educate and engage policymakers in working toward common legislative and regulatory solutions that will strengthen and enhance access and utilization of adult immunization across the health care system.
Thank you for commitment to and support for routine immunization, which protects lives against a range of vaccine-preventable conditions. We are pleased to offer our support for H.Res. 117 and stand ready to work with you toward common solutions that will strengthen and enhance access to and utilization of vaccines across the health care system, particularly among the adult population. Please contact the AVAC Coalition Manager, at (202) 540-1070 or lfoster@nvgllc.com if you would like more information about AVAC or wish to be in contact on our work.
Sincerely,
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc.
American College of Preventive Medicine
American Pharmacists Association
American Public Health Association
Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum
Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology
Biotechnology Industry Organization
GSK
Hep B United
Hepatitis B Foundation
Immunization Action Coalition
March of Dimes
Merck
National Association of County and City Health Officials
National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
National Indian Health Board
National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable
Pfizer Inc.
Sanofi Pasteur
Scientific Technologies Corporation
Takeda Vaccines, Inc.
Trust for America’s Health
cc: cosponsors of H.Res. 117