This resolution condemns anti-vaccine policies from federal and state officials while affirming that vaccines are critical, science-based tools for protecting public health and must remain widely accessible.
Jacky Rosen
Senator
NV
This resolution condemns the anti-vaccine policies of the Secretary of Health and Human Services and opposes Florida's efforts to roll back immunization requirements. It strongly asserts that vaccines are critical for public health, preventing illness and death, and must be widely available based on scientific consensus. The Senate expresses its support for science-based health decisions and criticizes political interference in vaccine advisory bodies.
Senate Resolution Condemns Anti-Vaccine Policies, Affirms Vaccines as Critical Public Health Tool
This resolution is the Senate officially putting its foot down on vaccines. It’s a formal, non-binding statement that strongly supports the scientific consensus that vaccines are critical for public health, and it explicitly condemns recent actions by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and the State of Florida for policies that weaken immunization requirements.
Why This Statement Matters: Protecting the Herd
For most people, this resolution isn't changing your life today, but it’s a big deal for setting the tone of future health policy. The Senate is essentially saying: Science is non-negotiable. They point out that widespread vaccination isn't just about protecting the person getting the shot; it’s about protecting everyone, especially vulnerable groups like infants, cancer patients, and the elderly. This concept of "community immunity" is the backbone of why diseases like polio and smallpox were eliminated in the U.S., a success story the resolution highlights with specific numbers (e.g., the MMR vaccine preventing over 60 million deaths globally since 2000).
Keeping Politics Out of the Shot Clinic
The resolution focuses heavily on protecting the integrity of public health decision-making. It specifically calls out the HHS Secretary for dismissing and replacing the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) members—the experts who guide the CDC on vaccine schedules—in June 2025. This move, which the Senate calls "unprecedented," is seen as political interference. For you, the reader, ACIP recommendations are crucial because they determine which vaccines are covered by insurance plans like Medicare, Medicaid, and private policies (Title XIX of the Social Security Act, etc.). The resolution demands that scientific research and advisory groups must remain free from political influence, ensuring that vaccine access and coverage aren’t suddenly yanked away based on political whims.
Access and Affordability Are Key
One of the most practical takeaways is the Senate’s insistence that vaccines must remain affordable and widely available. The resolution affirms that vaccines, including those for COVID-19, need to be covered by insurance—public or private. This is important for everyone managing a family budget; if a recommended vaccine isn't covered, it could mean thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs. By pushing for continued coverage and availability across pharmacies, clinics, and health centers, the Senate is trying to ensure that cost isn't a barrier to public health.
Calling Out Specific State Actions
The Senate doesn't mince words, directly condemning the State of Florida for moving to eliminate immunization requirements for schoolchildren in September 2025. They argue that such actions put children at higher risk for preventable diseases like measles. For parents, this is a clear signal that federal lawmakers view the weakening of school vaccine mandates as a serious public health threat. While this resolution doesn't force Florida to change its policy (it’s non-binding), it sets a strong political precedent that could influence federal funding or future regulatory actions regarding states that roll back public health protections.