Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's Plan to Protect Vaccine Access and Combat Misinformation

Protecting Vaccine Access in Pennsylvania

• 🛡️ Governor Josh Shapiro is signing an executive order to safeguard access to vaccines for all Pennsylvanians and ensure reliable health information.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The order aims to protect families by providing free vaccines for up to 1.5 million Pennsylvania children through a new state-based program, similar to the federal Vaccines for Children program.

Addressing Federal Uncertainty

• ⚠️ Shapiro expressed concern over potential restrictions on vaccines by individuals appointed by RFK Jr. to the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ASIP).
• 📚 The executive order directs state agencies to align regulations with leading medical experts and provide evidence-based information, independent of federal actions.

Centralizing Vaccine Information

• 💻 A new central hub for vaccine information and resources has been launched at pa.gov/vaccines, offering facts and science-based answers to the public.
• 🤝 State agencies are committed to ensuring all FDA-approved vaccines remain covered by Medicaid and private insurance through at least the end of 2026.

Communicating Guidance and Combating Disinformation

• 📢 Updated vaccine guidance will be communicated to schools, senior centers, and professional licensing boards to empower informed healthcare decisions.
• 🧑‍⚕️ A new working group, comprising healthcare professionals, parents, and community representatives, will develop strategies to combat vaccine misinformation and disinformation.
• 🌐 The Commonwealth will work with local health departments and neighboring states through the Northeast Public Health Collaborative to ensure consistent vaccine guidance regionally.
• ✅ Pennsylvania is committed to following facts and science, providing residents with the freedom to make informed health decisions, and expects insurance companies to do the same.