Gov. Josh Shapiro on Wednesday signed an executive order aimed at protecting access to recommended childhood and adult vaccines, maintaining insurance coverage and aligning state health policies with the guidance of respected experts.
“As the federal government continues to create chaos and confusion, my Administration is stepping up to preserve access to vaccines, provide Pennsylvanians with clear, evidence-based guidance, and protect the freedom to make decisions over your own health care,” said Shapiro at a press event at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
“As a dad to four kids, I want the best, most accurate information to inform the decisions we make for our kids and freedom to make decisions that are best for them, in consultation with our doctors.
I believe every Pennsylvanian deserves the same and this Executive Order directs Commonwealth agencies to take immediate action to ensure families can still get their kids vaccinated, seniors can stay protected as they age, and science and facts – not politics – guide health care decisions here in Pennsylvania.”
The multi-pronged order ensures coverage of vaccines by Medicaid and private insurance and creates a vaccine education workgroup to combat misinformation.
“Vaccines are one of the most important tools we have to protect children’s health,” said CHOP CEO Madeline Bell. “CHOP has long been a leader in vaccine development and education, providing trusted information through our Vaccine Education Center to families and physicians worldwide.”
The Trump administration in August limited those who could receive the COVID vaccine and required prescriptions which led major pharmacies to halt vaccinations. The Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy responded by voting to allow pharmacists to follow guidance from four major medical medical organizations and the FDA.
Last month the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) reversed its long-standing recommendations on measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine for children under 4.
In response, the Pennsylvania Department of Health expanded its list of trusted authorities and issued new vaccine guidance. At the same time the state Insurance Department secured commitments from insurers to cover the vaccines until at least 2026, the Shapiro administration said.
The order also creates a one-stop online resource at pa.gov/vaccines with evidence-based information for families, providers, and the public.