Strengthening U.S. Immunizations Programs and Vaccine Research and Development

IDSA is working to ensure that immunization programs are established, maintained and funded, and that research and development of new and improved vaccines continues. Immunization is one of the most effective ways to protect against infectious diseases. Vaccines have saved millions of lives worldwide and millions of dollars in unnecessary health care costs. Unfortunately, each year thousands of people still die of vaccine-preventable diseases.

IDSA’s immunization and vaccine R&D policy efforts specific to:

IDSA's Efforts in Strengthening U.S. Immunizations Programs and Vaccine Research and Development

6/23/2012

IDSA Policy Statement on State Immunization Mandates (PDF)

IDSA supports universal immunization of children, adolescents, and adults. Substantial scientific evidence demonstrates vaccines' enormous value in protecting the public from serious infections, and the Society strongly encourages states to enact and enforce immunization mandates except where immunization is medically-contraindicated.

9/18/2008

Immunization Alliance Issues National Call to Action (PDF)

IDSA joined an alliance of the nation's leading medical and advocacy groups to raise the public's confidence in vaccines.

7/12/2013

IDSA and PIDS Send Letter to U.S. Government Leaders Urging Broad Action on Pertussis (PDF)

In the wake of an alarming resurgence of pertussis, leaders from IDSA and the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) provided U.S. health agencies with recommendations to address the problem in the short- and long term. The recommendations were drawn from the expertise of members from both societies, as well as a successful multi-stakeholder working group meeting on pertussis earlier this year. The meeting was co-sponsored by IDSA and PIDS, along with the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) and the National Vaccine Program Office (NVPO).

10/26/2011

IDSA/Others Say FDA Must Have Access to Knowledgeable Subject Matter Experts (PDF)

IDSA joined over 75 provider and patient advocacy organizations in urging Senate leaders to eliminate over-the-top conflict of interest requirements that apply only to Food and Drug Administration advisory committees. These requirements tie FDA's hands preventing the agency from hearing opinions from the most knowledgeable experts prior to approving new drugs, vaccines, diagnostics, etc.

6/3/2011

IDSA Comments on NVAC Vaccine Safety Working Group White Paper (PDF)

IDSA commented on the NVAC Vaccine Safety Working Group's draft white paper on the federal vaccine safety system. IDSA applauded their efforts, while recommending they highlight the strengths of the system.

5/20/2011

IDSA Applauds the Efforts of the NVAC Adult Immunization Working Group to Improve Adult Immunization Rates (PDF)

IDSA comments on the draft paper of the National Vaccine Advisory Committee’s Adult Immunization Working Group, highlighting the importance of adult vaccination to broader public health.

More Letters to Agencies

6/25/2008

IDSA Joins Coalition Letter on Vaccines (PDF)

IDSA signed a coalition letter to the House Appropriations Committee opposing any legislation that would restrict the use, or limit the availability, of recommended vaccines due to the use of thimerosal as a preservative or other reasons.

6/2/2008

IDSA Signs Open Letter to Congress on Immunization Policy (PDF)

IDSA joined with several other public health organizations to send a letter to Congress in support of scientifically valid immunization policies.

5/7/2008

IDSA Endorses Waxman Legislation on Vaccine Access (PDF)

Letter of IDSA's endorsement for H.R. 4990, the Vaccines for Children Access Act of 2008, and H.R. 4993, the Vaccines for the Uninsured Adult Act of 2008, two critical pieces of legislation will provide access to vaccines for millions of children, adolescents and adults and help reduce the number of vaccine-preventable deaths in this country.

11/15/2007

IDSA Endorses 50% Tax Credit for ID Product R&D (PDF)

New legislation, S. 2351, introduced by Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), if enacted, will help to spur the development of new antibiotics, antiviral drugs, vaccines, diagnostics, and biological products to address MRSA, gram-negative bacterial infections, XDR-TB, and other dangerous drug-resistant and other infectious pathogens.

More Letters to Congress