AVAC Urges Support of Community Immunity During COVID-19 Act

AVAC sent a letter to Senator Tina Smith and Representative Lauren Underwood, thanking them for introducing the Community Immunity During COVID-19 Act. The legislation would provide robust funding to develop, scale, and evaluate local initiatives to promote recommended vaccinations during this pandemic. These investments are particularly important for building confidence around the COVID-19 vaccines now that two have been proven to be safe and effective. 

Letters to Congress
Appropriations/Funding for Immunization COVID-19 Response
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 January 22, 2021 

Dear Senator Smith and Representative Underwood,

As the Congress and our nation continue to respond to the public health emergency that is overtaking our country, members of the Adult Vaccine Access Coalition (AVAC) thank you for introducing the Community Immunity During COVID-19 Act.

This legislation would provide robust funding to develop, scale, and evaluate local initiatives to promote recommended vaccinations during this pandemic. These investments are particularly important for building confidence around the COVID-19 vaccines now that two have been proven to be safe and effective.

Immunizations are essential to protecting individuals across the life course from vaccine-preventable diseases and outbreaks. At risk populations, including older adults, persons with disabilities, and those living with chronic health conditions such as heart and lung disease, diabetes, and cancer, are extremely vulnerable and at increased risk of suffering from the serious adverse health consequences of vaccine preventable illnesses. Your important legislation will provide a heightened focus on addressing vaccination hesitancy concerns and increase public confidence in the safety and efficacy of vaccines as a potentially lifesaving medical countermeasure.

It is critical to continue communication and engagement with the public on the need to continue to stay up to date with the immunization schedules recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), including the receipt of vaccinations for flu, pneumococcal disease, shingles, and hepatitis. At the same time, it is necessary to be educating and encouraging our most vulnerable populations to seek access to Covid-19 vaccines. Doing so will address the long-standing disparities around adult vaccines. 

Again, thank you for your steadfast leadership around immunizations during this difficult time. Members of AVAC stand ready to work with you on important and effective solutions. 

Sincerely, 

Alliance for Aging Research 

American Academy of Family Physicians 

American Immunization Registry Association 

American Lung Association 

American Pharmacists Association 

American Public Health Association 

Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum 

Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology 

Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) 

Biotechnology Innovation Organization 

Families Fighting Flu 

GSK 

Hepatitis B Foundation 

Hep B United 

Infectious Diseases Society of America 

Kimberly Coffey Foundation 

March of Dimes 

Medicago 

Moderna 

National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP) 

National Consumers League 

National Foundation for Infectious Diseases 

National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable 

Novavax 

Seqirus 

STChealth 

The AIDS Institute 

The Gerontological Society of America 

Trust for America’s Health 

Vaccinate Your Family 

WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease