Latest news with #ImmunizationProgram
New York Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Trump Budget Eliminates Funding for Crucial Global Vaccination Programs
The Trump administration's proposed budget for the coming fiscal year eliminates funding for programs that provide lifesaving vaccines around the world, including immunizations for polio. The budget, submitted to Congress last week, proposes to eliminate the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's global health unit, effectively shutting down its $230 million immunization program: $180 million for polio eradication and the rest for measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases. The budget plan also withdraws financial support for Gavi, the international vaccine alliance that purchases vaccines for children in developing countries. Overall, the budget request explicitly follows President Trump's America First policy, slashing funds for global health programs that fight H.I.V. and malaria, and cutting support altogether to fight diseases that affect only poorer countries. 'The request eliminates funding for programs that do not make Americans safer, such as family planning and reproductive health, neglected tropical diseases, and nonemergency nutrition,' the proposal said. Many public health experts said that such thinking is flawed because infectious diseases routinely breach borders. The United States is battling multiple measles outbreaks, prompting the C.D.C. last week to warn travelers about the risks of contracting measles. Each of those outbreaks began with a case of measles contracted by an international traveler. 'Every single measles case this year is related to actual importations of the virus into the United States,' said Dr. Walter Orenstein, associate director of the Emory Vaccine Center and a former director of the United States' Immunization Program. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Influenza cases spike in Wisconsin as local health experts report lower vaccination rates
WISCONSIN (WFRV) – Wisconsin is among several states experiencing high to very high levels of influenza activity. 'I think this is measuring up to be one of the worst flu seasons we have had in 15 years,' said James Conway, medical director of the UW Health Immunization Program. Data shows bone-chilling negative temperatures across northeast Wisconsin; How cold was it in your area: Different strains of the virus circulate at different times of the year. However, the current Influenza A season is being called the most intense in years, leading to hospitalizations and deaths. 'A lot of people [are] getting hospitalized, most of the people getting hospitalized [are] including kids or people that have not been vaccinated, and we've had quite a few deaths in children already,' Conway said. 'I think the CDC report is up to almost 70 kids. This is not necessarily something that just affects people with underlying medical conditions.' Health experts anticipated intense flu seasons and continue to recommend that people get vaccinated, stay home when sick, and practice good hygiene. 'You almost feel like you're adopting a little bit of OCD in how often you may think about washing your hands, but it's a survival measure at this time of the year,' Conway added. As the respiratory illness spreads across the country, Conway expressed concern about low vaccination rates. 2025 Sturgeon Season update: Lowest harvest reported on Lake Winnebago 'Influenza immunization rates here in Wisconsin are significantly lower than they usually are,' he said. 'Only about 33% of Wisconsin residents at this point have gotten a flu vaccine, which is down quite a bit.' Flu vaccines are still available at pharmacies, urgent care centers, and some doctors' offices. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
