Parents concerned over access to children’s vaccine program

SALT LAKE CITY — Doctors’ offices say they’re fielding more calls from parents worried about possible cuts to the children’s vaccine program. But local health officials aren’t concerned yet.

Concerns have ramped up since June, when Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. removed every member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and replaced them.

The ACIP helps decide which vaccines the Vaccines for Children Program covers.

Some parents say if funding for children’s vaccines dries up, they won’t be able to afford the shots on their own. However, Utah Department of Health vaccine education team manager Cindy Wynette said it’s too soon to know if committee changes will affect vaccine access.

“I think it’s really too early to be able to speculate about what may happen in the future because we just don’t have enough information yet to even make any predictions,” Wynette said.

Wynette says, for now, the program will continue providing free shots for underinsured or uninsured children according to the ACIP’s recommendations.

What parents can do now is to make sure everyone is up to date on their vaccines, especially with the start of the school year coming soon.

While parents shouldn’t be concerned right now, Wynette says it’s important to talk with your pediatrician about any vaccine concerns.

“There’s so much information coming at us from all sides and perspectives, but really, they’re the best people to talk to to help address those questions. Ask those questions, don’t be afraid to ask those questions,” Wynette said.

KSL NewsRadio’s Sam Herrera contributed to this report.