The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s abrupt cancellation of $11.4 billion in covid-related funds has left more than a dozen vaccination clinics canceled across Pima County, Arizona, and Washoe County, Nevada. The move is sparking concerns about the impact on low-income children and vulnerable populations.
In March, the CDC canceled funding for state and local health departments, citing that the COVID-19 pandemic is over. However, former US Surgeon General Jerome Adams warns that this decision will harm those populations who need vaccines the most.
Immunization efforts are being severely impacted due to the cuts, with clinics in Texas, Minnesota, and Washington forced to cancel or scale back their vaccination programs. In Arizona, one of the county’s vaccination programs had to end early due to a loss of grant money, leaving it unable to plan any more vaccine events.
The cancellation of funding not only affects immunization rates but also prevents health education, resource connections, and community trust-building efforts. “Vaccination events are also a chance to offer health education, connect people with other resources they may need, and build trust between communities and public health systems,” said Theresa Cullen, director of the county health department.
The effects of these cuts will be felt for years to come, as healthcare experts warn that society lacks collective knowledge about diseases like measles. The Missouri Immunization Coalition has already had to lay off half its staff due to the cuts, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of this decision.
Source: https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/vaccine-clinics-canceled-measles-surge-federal-funding-cuts