This September 18–19, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will meet to make important decisions about which vaccines are recommended for Americans. These recommendations affect whether pharmacies can give vaccines, whether insurance will cover them, and whether families can easily get the shots they need, such as Hepatitis B, COVID, and measles vaccines.

Recently, changes and delays in vaccine policy have already made it harder for people to get COVID, RSV, and even routine vaccines at local pharmacies. Pregnant people, children, older adults, and those with chronic conditions are at risk of losing easy access to the protection vaccines provide. Families should not face confusion, extra costs, or dangerous delays when trying to stay healthy.

Why This Matters
Vaccines are one of the safest and most effective tools we have to protect families from serious illness. For decades, ACIP has helped ensure that everyone—from newborns to grandparents—can get vaccines without barriers.

If ACIP restricts or delays its recommendations, millions of families could:

• Be denied vaccines at pharmacies or clinics unless they get a doctor’s prescription.
• Face higher costs if insurance stops covering certain vaccines.
• Miss critical protection during pregnancy, infancy, or seasonal outbreaks.

This is not just about policy—it’s about our health, our children’s futures, and our communities’ safety.

What We’re Asking ACIP to Do
We, the undersigned, urge ACIP to:

• Keep ALL current vaccines accessible by ensuring recommendations allow pharmacies and clinics to provide them without unnecessary prescriptions.
• Maintain insurance coverage so families don’t face new costs for recommended vaccines.
• Base decisions on science and evidence, not delays or confusion that put people at risk.
• Listen to families and patients—give the public a strong voice in shaping vaccine access.