Issue Category: Child and School Health

Immunizations are a Critical Public Health Tool to Support Both Individual and Community Health

Observed annually in August, National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) highlights the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. Some vaccines prevent the spread of diseases, while others protect people from serious illness. Vaccines have saved millions of lives worldwide.

This awareness month is an opportunity to understand vaccines’ role in our overall health, their safety record, and how they fit into the larger picture of individual, community, and public health.

Childhood vaccinations
Infants and children are vaccinated against numerous infectious diseases based on a schedule recommended by pediatricians and vaccine experts. Following the recommended vaccine schedule gives children the best protection from preventable diseases and protects communities against outbreaks. Children often receive vaccines during well-child care visits or in preparation for a new school year.

Vaccines during adulthood
Vaccines aren’t just important for kids – adults need them too. Vaccination is recommended throughout life to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases and the complications of these diseases. Vaccines may be administered as an annual shot, to update waning immunity, or because a new vaccine was developed in response to a disease threat. Some vaccines are recommended for receipt during adulthood as the risks of certain diseases increase later in life. Adult vaccine recommendations may be based on age, health history, underlying risk factors, travel, occupation, and previous vaccinations.

Immunization supports healthy communities
Vaccinations function as a core element of public health infrastructure. Much like clean water systems or food safety regulations, immunization programs operate in the background to reduce the risk of disease across entire populations. When maintained effectively, they prevent disease spread, reduce demand on healthcare systems, and support uninterrupted access to work, school, business activities, and community life.

The strength of any vaccine infrastructure is rooted in convenient, no-cost access, reliable public communication, public confidence, and sustained uptake. Disruptions, whether due to healthcare access gaps, shifting policy priorities, or declines in public trust, can lead to the return of diseases that had achieved elimination status. Elimination status means that cases of the disease are not naturally occurring within a specific geographic area, however, infections can still happen when an infected person travels from one area to another. Elimination status is jeopardized when vaccination rates drop, and illnesses begin to circulate in communities. Recent increases in measles and pertussis cases in parts of the United States reflect the consequences of uneven vaccination rates in some U.S. communities or in other countries.

Disease elimination requires continued vigilance
Vaccines have significantly reduced the incidence of many infectious diseases in the U.S., with some being eliminated. However, it’s important to note that elimination is not the same as eradication. Disease eradication is when a disease is permanently eliminated, with no new cases from any source. Unfortunately, recent data indicate a resurgence of certain illnesses:

These trends emphasize the need for continued vigilance in vaccination efforts to prevent the reemergence of preventable diseases.

Immunization’s role in overall health and emergency preparedness
Vaccines serve not only as a means of individual protection, but also as a mechanism for ensuring community health and supporting a strong economy. Investing in the immunization pipeline and infrastructure means investing in the long-term resilience of communities.

To strengthen the role of immunization in supporting health and community resilience, TFAH’s  reports Pathway to a Healthier America: A Blueprint for Strengthening Public Health for the Next Administration and Congress and  Ready or Not 2025: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism outline several policy recommendations aimed at reinforcing the nation’s immunization infrastructure and access, including:

  • Ensuring access to and affordability of health insurance.
  • Preserving access to recommended vaccines without cost sharing. Research shows that even small co-payments can be barriers to people getting preventive services like vaccines.
  • Investing in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) workforce and infrastructure, which work with states and communities to detect and prevent outbreaks.
  • Sustained funding for CDC’s National Immunization Program, which supports vaccine infrastructure, outreach, and access and outbreak response at the federal, state, and local levels. The Vaccines for Children program, which provides free vaccines to children in the U.S. whose families couldn’t otherwise afford them, also relies on the infrastructure and public health workforce funded by this program.
  • Providing resources for public health communications strategies, including effective communications about the safety and efficacy of vaccines.
  • Ongoing funding for the Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions Initiative, which includes prevention strategies tied to immunization.
  • Accelerated development, stockpiling, and distribution capacity for vaccines in response to emerging threats.
  • Enhanced demographic data collection and analysis to ensure vaccine efforts reach communities that experience health and economic disparities.

These priorities reflect the role of immunization not just in public health response, but in prevention at the population level. When vaccine systems are well-funded and equitably implemented, they allow for stronger disease protection in everyday life and community level resilience during public health emergencies.

Maintaining continuity in immunization
Immunization is not a one-time decision; it is an ongoing element of preventive healthcare. Over time, the immunity created by a vaccine can weaken making a booster dose important. In addition, a virus can change or mutate making the original vaccine less effective and a reformulated dose necessary. Also, as new data emerges showing changes in disease patterns, vaccine recommendations may change.

Like other foundational aspects of health, such as preventive care, good nutrition, physical activity, and healthy environments, vaccination is most effective when integrated consistently over time. It is one part of a broader health strategy, supporting both individual well-being and community health.

Recommended resources:

The National Count for Measles Cases for 2025 is Over 1,100 and Approaching a Thirty-Year High

Health officials remind the public: Measles is serious and very contagious; being vaccinated is the best defense.

Measles is an airborne, highly contagious disease that can be very severe. However, people have the power to protect themselves and their children with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.

As of June 5, the number of measles cases in the U.S. topped 1,000 and were reported in 34 jurisdictions. The growing case count illustrates that the illness can spread easily in communities with pockets of unvaccinated people. If the rate of new cases continues at its current pace, we could reach a thirty-year high in the annual number of cases this summer. Of the cases reported in 2025, 95 percent were people who were unvaccinated or with unknown vaccination status, and 12 percent of cases have resulted in hospitalization.

Sadly, three deaths have occurred as a result of the current outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico. In late February, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported the first death resulting from the state’s outbreak. The death occurred in a child who was not vaccinated. A second death of a New Mexico adult who tested positive for measles and was also unvaccinated, was reported in early March. Any measles death is particularly tragic because such deaths are preventable.

Here’s what you need to know about measles.

  • Measles is highly contagious. You can contract measles by breathing air contaminated by an infected person or touching an infected surface. The measles virus can linger in the air for several hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes.
  • Measles symptoms usually include a fever, rash, cough, and red eyes. Someone who is infected with measles can spread the infection to others before they notice symptoms, especially in the four days before or after a rash develops.
  • Measles can lead to serious health consequences especially for babies and young children including hearing loss, brain swelling, pneumonia, and even death. Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk, but children under the age of five, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible and are at risk for more serious outcomes.
  • Data show that unvaccinated people have a 90 percent likelihood of contracting measles if they are exposed. One out of five people who contract measles will require hospitalization.
  • If you have been exposed to someone with measles or display symptoms, like a rash that spreads from the face to the rest of the body, you should isolate and contact a healthcare provider immediately.
  • Vaccination is the most effective way to avoid contracting measles. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine has been in use since 1971 with the measles vaccine dating back even further to 1963. The MMR vaccine has been shown to be 97 percent effective for people who have received the full series (two doses). After the measles vaccine was introduced, reported cases in the U.S. dropped by 97% in just three years.
  • Children between the ages of 6 – 11 months can be given the MMR vaccine in areas with measles cases, but most children receive their first dose between 12 and 15 months. Babies younger than 6 months are not yet ready for vaccination, which is why older children and adults who interact with infants should be fully vaccinated.

 

Resources for further information:

Measles Symptoms and Complications | Measles (Rubeola) | CDC

Measles Vaccination | Measles (Rubeola) | CDC

Vaccinate Your Family: Measles Resources (Vaccinate Your Family)

Measles Vaccination: Know the Facts  (Infectious Disease Society of America)

 

Revised May 27, 2025

The Nation’s Public Health System is at an Inflection Point

New Report Provides the Next Administration and Congress a Policy Roadmap for Improving the Nation’s Health, Economy, and National Security

(October 8, 2024 – Washington, DC) – The public health system—responsible for protecting and promoting health in every community— needs sustained investment, policy support, and protection from political interference, according to a new report released today by Trust for America’s Health.

The report, Pathway to a Healthier America: A Blueprint for Strengthening Public Health for the Next Administration and Congress, identifies six priority areas and includes policy recommendations that, if adopted, will improve health outcomes and bolster the nation’s economic and national security.

Americans are living longer, thanks in part to public health. Public health interventions, such as improved sanitation, enhanced vaccination access and stronger infectious disease control, improved nutrition, tobacco use prevention, and addressing preventable injury, were the largest contributing factors to life expectancy increases over the last century.

However, too many Americans are still suffering from preventable health problems. Over the last few decades, increasing rates of chronic diseases and alarming levels of substance use disorder and suicides threaten the public’s health. Furthermore, weather-related emergencies are occurring more frequently, and population-level health disparities persist.

Public health is at risk on several fronts. Underfunding has weakened the public health infrastructure and its workforce. Mis- and disinformation and politicization have contributed to distrust of public health officials and guidance. Public health’s ability to protect communities is also at risk due to proposed or enacted policies that undermine the role of public health officials or access to preventive healthcare.

“This Blueprint Report provides a roadmap for the Administration and Congress taking office in January to improve the health and well-being of the nation. We know what works in public health and that when Congress and the Administration act in support of public health, the return is improved preparedness and individual and community health and safety,” said J. Nadine Gracia, M.D. MSCE, President and CEO, Trust for America’s Health. “The next Administration and Congress will have an important opportunity to enable all Americans to enjoy optimal health.”

2024 Blueprint Priority Areas and Highlighted Recommendations

This report includes recommendations across six priority areas to protect and strengthen public health, prevention, and our nation’s health security. The following are highlighted recommendations from the report. See the report for the inclusive set of recommendations.

Priority 1: Invest in Infrastructure and Workforce to Ensure Our Public Health System Can Meet the Challenges and Opportunities of the 21st Century.

  • Congress should protect and increase overall funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  • Congress should ensure continuous improvement of public health infrastructure.
  • Congress should invest in public health data modernization and enact the Improving DATA in Public Health Act to better detect and contain health threats.
  • Congress and HHS agencies should support efforts to bolster recruitment, retention, and resilience of the public health workforce.

Priority 2: Strengthen Prevention, Readiness, and Response to Health Security Threats.

  • The White House should maintain coordination and leadership around public health emergencies and biodefense, and the White House and Congress should renew the nation’s Global Health Security Commitment.
  • Congress should expand public health emergency preparedness funding for state, tribal, local, and territorial jurisdictions.
  • Congress and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response should strengthen the emergency readiness of the healthcare delivery system.
  • Congress should enact legislation to ensure access to vaccines for uninsured and underinsured adults.
  • Congress should support nationwide efforts to protect against environmental and climate-related health threats, including extreme heat.

Priority 3: Promote the Health and Well-being of Individuals, Families, and Communities Across the Lifespan.

  • Congress should increase funding to CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
  • Congress should enhance benefits in and protect access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and should make healthy school meals for all permanent.
  • Congress should create a national standard requiring employers to provide job-protected paid sick, family, and medical leave for all employees.
  • Congress and HHS should address Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) by passing the Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences Act and increasing the investment in the CDC ACEs program.
  • Congress should fund the nationwide implementation of CDC’s Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Program and support Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s efforts to bolster the continuum of crisis care.
  • Congress and the Administration should fund CDC’s internal capacity for healthy aging efforts and its support to build and sustain age-friendly public health systems in state, local, tribal, and territorial public health departments.

Priority 4: Advance Health Equity by Addressing Structural Discrimination.

  • Federal agencies should regularly update and report progress on agency equity plans, ensuring metrics are inclusive of and extend beyond tracking disparities.
  • Congress and the Administration should ensure accurate and complete data collection to report health-related information by race/ethnicity, age, sex, disability, language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and geography.
  • Federal health agencies should focus funding on populations at elevated risk for chronic disease and poor health outcomes due to the impact of structural discrimination and disinvestment.

Priority 5: Address the Non-Medical Drivers of Health to Improve the Nation’s Health Outcomes.

  • Congress should increase funding to $150 million for the Social Determinants of Health program at CDC and pass the Improving Social Determinants of Health Act.
  • The Administration should continue to build on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) efforts to support Medicaid, Medicare, and Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage of patients’ health-related social needs.
  • CMS and Congress should explore opportunities to expand the capacity of healthcare providers and payers to screen and refer individuals to social services.
  • Congress should amend tax laws to increase economic opportunity for families by expanding access to the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit.

Priority 6: Enhance and Protect the Scientific Integrity, Effectiveness, and Accountability of the Agencies Charged with Protecting the Health of all Americans.

  • The Administration and Congress should maintain the existing structure of federal health agencies, which have specific roles and expertise in protecting the nation’s health.
  • The Administration should protect the scientific integrity of public health agencies and leaders.
  • Congress and HHS should invest in and prioritize effective public health communications and reducing the spread of misinformation and disinformation.
  • Lawmakers and courts should reject laws that weaken or preempt public health authorities, which could threaten basic public health protections such as outbreak detection, vaccination, and response.

 

Read the full report

Trust for America’s Health is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public health research, policy, and advocacy organization that promotes optimal health for every person and community and makes the prevention of illness and injury a national priority. 

 

 

National Immunization Month Highlights Lifesaving Benefits of Vaccines

August 2024

National Immunization Awareness Month sponsored by the National Public Health Information Coalition (NPHIC) and observed every August, highlights the lifesaving benefits of vaccines. During the month, activities will raise awareness of the importance of vaccinating people of all ages against serious and sometimes deadly diseases. The awareness month also celebrates the successes of immunizations and educates Americans about vaccine safety and effectiveness.

According to a study by the Commonwealth Fund, from December 2020 through November 2022, COVID-19 vaccines prevented approximately 18.5 million hospitalizations and 3.2 million deaths in the U.S., but the lifesaving impact of vaccines extends far beyond COVID-19. Vaccines have dramatically reduced the spread of diseases like measles, polio, and whooping cough, protecting countless individuals and communities.

According to new data published this month by the CDC, among children born during 1994-2023, routine childhood vaccinations will have prevented about 508 million cases of illness, 32 million hospitalizations, and 1,129,000 deaths over the course of their lifetimes.

Unfortunately, numerous factors have led to a decline in vaccination rates in recent years including healthcare disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic and the spread of misinformation about vaccine safety and effectiveness. In some cases, this has resulted in outbreaks of once-controlled diseases, including measles and to a lesser degree polio, jeopardizing the progress we have made.

According to the American Association of Immunologists, getting vaccinated protects against the spread of infectious diseases by helping our immune systems fight infection. Vaccines work by introducing a weakened or inactive form of a virus or bacteria to the body. This triggers the immune system to develop antibodies, creating a kind of shield against future infection. When a large portion of the population is vaccinated, it creates “herd” or community-level immunity, making it difficult for diseases to spread, even protecting those who haven’t been vaccinated themselves.

The public health benefits of vaccines include:

Disease Prevention: Vaccines are highly effective at preventing serious illnesses like measles, mumps, rubella, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, chickenpox, shingles, influenza, and pneumonia. These diseases can cause severe complications, hospitalization, and even death.

Reduced Healthcare Costs: Vaccines are a cost-effective way to prevent illness and its associated medical expenses. Vaccination programs save billions of dollars in healthcare costs each year.

Protection for Populations at Higher Risk: Vaccines are especially important for protecting those with developing immune systems (infants) or weakened immune systems, such as older adults and people with certain chronic illnesses.

Global Health Impact: Vaccination programs have had a significant impact on global health. They have helped to virtually eliminate smallpox and dramatically reduced the burden of other diseases worldwide.

To build on and sustain the health benefits of vaccines, TFAH’s 2024 Ready or Not: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism report includes a number of important recommended policy actions to strengthen the nation’s vaccine infrastructure:

  • Increased Funding: Congress should provide at least $1.1 billion per year to support vaccine infrastructure and delivery, including programs promoting equitable vaccine distribution.
  • Insurance Coverage: Congress and states should ensure first-dollar coverage for recommended vaccines under commercial insurance and for uninsured populations.
  • Minimizing Exemptions: States should minimize vaccine exemptions for schoolchildren, and healthcare facilities should increase vaccination rates of healthcare workers.
  • New Vaccine Development: Congress should create incentives for new-product discovery to prevent and fight resistant infections including therapeutics, diagnostics, and prevention products such as vaccines.
  • Strengthening Influenza Defenses: Congress should strengthen the pipeline of influenza vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
  • Countering Vaccine Misinformation:The spread of misinformation about vaccines can lead to vaccine hesitancy and lower vaccination rates. TFAH calls for promoting accurate information from trusted sources to increase vaccine confidence.

According to research published in The Lancet, since 1974, vaccination has prevented 154 million deaths worldwide. By ensuring equitable access to vaccines, promoting accurate information, and investing in research and education, we can continue to harness the power of vaccines and build a healthier future for all.

 

Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Program’s 25th Anniversary

Trust for America’s Health hosted a virtual Congressional briefing and national webinar honoring the 25th anniversary of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program. REACH aims to improve health, prevent chronic diseases, and reduce health disparities among racial and ethnic populations with the highest risk, or burden of chronic disease. Since 1999, the program has empowered communities to develop and share effective solutions, fostering a healthier future for all.

A panel of subject matter experts discussed the history, achievements, and future of the REACH program.

Nutrition Support Programs are Vital to Preventing Food and Nutrition Insecurity and Reducing Chronic Disease – Congress Must Act to Support Them

As of early November 2023, draft appropriation bills by both the House of Representatives and the Senate do not adequately fund the WIC nutrition support program, threatening to break a nearly 30-year, bipartisan commitment to ensure all participants can access the program without waitlists.

(Washington, DC – 11/20/23) – Access to nutritious food is critical to preventing many chronic diseases and is particularly important to keep young children on track with their growth and developmental needs. In 2022, an estimated 12.8 percent of U.S. households experienced food and or nutrition insecurity sometime during the year.
As Trust for America’s Health’s (TFAH) State of Obesity report series has demonstrated, food insecurity is a risk factor for obesity and other nutrition-related chronic diseases. Progress on addressing these critical public health issues is in jeopardy if Congress does not provide funding for federal nutrition support programs during the current fiscal year.
One of the key federal nutrition programs supporting the specific nutritional needs of young children, infants, and birthing people is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC. Created in 1972, the WIC program is a short-term, public health intervention program designed to strengthen lifetime nutrition and health behaviors within households with low-incomes. The WIC program provides nutrition benefits tailored to support a young child’s development. Over time, the program, including its food packages, has aligned with new science about the key nutrients infants and children need. These changes have had a significant impact. Studies show that the 2007 benefit update helped improve beneficiaries’ diets and decreased rates of obesity among enrolled toddlers ages 2-4.

The WIC program also adapted to challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic by implementing new flexibilities, such as allowing WIC agencies to remotely load benefits cards. In 2021, Congress also increased the monthly benefit available to families to purchase more fruits and vegetables from $9 to $26 for children, and from $11 to $47 for pregnant and postpartum participants. These changes modernized the program and in turn increased participation; important because WIC has long had lower participation rates in comparison to the number of eligible families.

Today, nearly seven million parents and children under five years old depend on the WIC program, and participation is expected to grow due to increased program flexibilities. To keep up with increased demand, additional program funding is needed. As of early November 2023, draft appropriation bills by both the House of Representatives and the Senate do not adequately fund the WIC program, which threatens to break a nearly 30-year, bipartisan commitment to ensure all participants can access WIC without waitlists. Increasing food costs, make action to grow the WIC program critically important as families are struggling to afford healthy meals and may be forced to turn to cheaper but less nutritious alternatives.

Critical public health programs like WIC not only provide nutritious foods to families in the short term, but also help prevent diet-related diseases. Trust for America’s Health urges Congress to increase funding in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget for the WIC program to ensure pregnant and postpartum birthing people and their young children have the nutrition they need to enjoy good

August is National Immunization Awareness Month

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. This annual observance is designed to remind everyone that staying up to date on vaccinations is an important way to protect not only their health but the health of everyone around them.

Vaccines are a public health success story. Today, we are fortunate to have a broad spectrum of safe and effective vaccines, which if received on schedule, protect patients of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases. Current vaccines protect against childhood disease including chicken pox, measles, and whooping cough, while protecting adults from the flu, Tdap, and shingles. Vaccines have also eradicated or nearly eradicated life-threatening diseases, such as smallpox and polio.

Children as young as 1-2 months old should be vaccinated against childhood illnesses and school-age children may need vaccine updates before they can return to school this fall. Ensuring that every child sees their doctor for a well-child visit and to receive any needed vaccine or vaccine updates is one of the best ways a parent can protect their child’s health and that of the community. Because the immunity created by a vaccine can lessen overtime, it’s important that children receive their vaccines on the recommended schedule. Adults may also need vaccine updates or to receive recently approved vaccines such as the RSV vaccine for adults 60 years of age and older.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, routine childhood vaccination levels among school-age children in the U.S. decreased, likely due to missed well-child medical visits. Globally, a report by UNICEF and the World Health Organization found that childhood vaccination coverage worldwide increased with about 4 million more children receiving full immunizations in 2022 compared to 2021, but were still below pre-pandemic levels.

Vaccines meet strict safety and effectiveness measures
In the U.S., safety measures are strict and prioritized to ensure that vaccines are safe for patients. Before any vaccine is approved for use, it is tested for safety and effectiveness through clinical trials and then must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. While some people experience mild side effects after receiving a vaccine, such as swelling at the shot area, mild fevers and chills, serious reactions are extremely rare. Overall, the safety of all vaccines is closely monitored to ensure their continued safe use. If patients have questions about a vaccine including any potential side effects, they should speak to their healthcare provider.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information on vaccine safety and for child and adult immunization schedules.

 

 

Over Thirty-Five Health and Child Wellness Organizations Endorse the Improving Data Collection for Adverse Childhood Experiences Act

(Washington, DC – July 11, 2022) – Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can have long-lasting effects over the lifetime of an individual including negative health impacts. Research shows that the higher the number of ACEs an individual experiences the higher their risk for negative health outcomes like asthma, diabetes, cancer, substance use, and suicide in adulthood. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 61 percent of U.S. adults report having at least one ACE, and that the prevention of ACEs could reduce cases of depression in adults by 44 percent and avoid 1.9 million cases of heart disease.

The Improving Data Collection for ACEs Act is a bipartisan effort to enable the collection of more inclusive data about ACEs. It would support additional research on the impact of ACEs with a focus on understanding of the frequency and intensity of ACEs, the relationship between ACEs and negative health outcomes, and the influence of risk and protective factors.

For more information, contact Brandon Reavis, Senior Government Relations Manager at Trust for America’s Health, [email protected].