Immunization
IDSA works independently and through coalitions with like-minded organizations to monitor and favorably impact immunization policy development. Vaccines are one of the most important discoveries of human history. Immunizations of children, adults, and adolescents have helped to save millions of lives worldwide and millions of dollars each year in unnecessary healthcare expenditures. Although nothing is 100% safe, vaccines are the safest, most effective way to control and eradicate infectious diseases. United States' policymakers must be vigilant in working to improve and ensure the availability of these critical public health tools. To view IDSA's statements and other useful policy resources concerning vaccines research and development, click here.
Policymakers and the public may learn more about IDSA's positions concerning immunizations and view useful policy documents, including reports from the General Accounting Office and Institute of Medicine, and other resources/links below.
IDSA Statements
Immunization Alliance Issues National Call to Action 09/18/2008
IDSA joined an alliance of the nation's leading medical and advocacy groups to raise the public's confidence in vaccines.
IDSA Policy Blueprint to Strengthen Adult and Adolescent Immunization
Statement/Fact Sheet on Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine 04/06/2007
IDSA has developed a fact sheet and statement on the HPV vaccine which supports ACIP recommendations for its use, and notes the importance of improving financing and coverage rates.
View all Statements
IDSA Letters
Letter to Sens. McCain and Obama 09/05/2008
IDSA and HIVMA call on the presidential candidates to promote a science-based approach to public health policy, including immunization safety, sexuality education programs, access to clean syringes and needles for injecting drug users, and diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease.
IDSA Joins Coalition Letter on Vaccines 06/25/2008
IDSA signed a coalition letter to House Appropriations Committee Chair, David Obey, urging that the committee not adopt any amendment which would restrict the use, or limit the availability, of recommended vaccines.
IDSA Signs Open Letter to Congress on Immunization Policy 06/02/2008
IDSA joined with several other public health organizations to send a letter to Congress in support of scientifically valid immunization policies.
IDSA Endorses Waxman Legislation on Vaccine Access 05/07/2008
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.
IDSA, Others Oppose the Weldon Amendment Concerning Thimerosal 07/18/2007
Organizations oppose the Weldon amendment, which would prohibit the use of federal funds to administer an influenza vaccine containing the preservative thimerosal to children less than 3 years of age in the 2008-2009 influenza season.
View all Letters
Fact Sheets
Section 317 Immunization Program
IDSA Comments on Federal Agencies' Actions
IDSA Letter to FDA on Licensure of Pandemic Flu Vaccines 06/06/2006
Comments to FDA on its document entitled "Guidance for Industry: Clinical Data Needed to Support the Licensure of Pandemic Influenza Vaccines"
IDSA Comments on the HHS Draft Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Plan [FR DOC 04-19285] 10/26/2004
IDSA applauds HHS' efforts in the development of a Plan to address a future influenza pandemic and provides recommendations to strengthen U.S. preparedeness and response.
Institute of Medicine Reports
Microbial Threats to Health: Emergence, Detection, and Response 03/01/2003
IOM report provides a comprehensive study on the policy and infrastructure changes necessary to detect, prevent, and respond to micobial threats to health.
Immunization Safety Review: Vaccinations and Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy 03/01/2003
IOM report provides a comprehensive study on vaccinations given in the first year of life and the association with sudden infant death syndrome.
Setting the Course: A Strategic Vision for Immunization. Part 2 Summary of the Austin Workshop 09/01/2002
IOM summary is the product of a workshop to discuss state-specific challenges for immunization finance and future strategies for strengthening immunization activities and the public health infrastructure that supports those activities.
Protecting Our Forces: Improving Vaccine Acquisition and Availability in the U.S. Military 09/01/2002
IOM established a committee to review and report on the process used by the U.S. military to acquire vaccines to protect military personnel against infectious disease threats.
View all Institute of Medicine Reports
Important Links
National Network for Immunization Information
The National Network for Immunization (NNii) provides up-to-date, science-based information to healthcare professionals, the media, policy makers, and the public — everyone who needs to know the facts about immunization.
Avian/Pandemic Flu
View IDSA's new extensive resources on avian and pandemic influenza, containing information on avian flu in humans and birds, the outbreak of H5N1 in Asia, treatment, vaccine development, travel recommendations, surveillance, infection control, pandemic preparedness planning, and more.
View all Important Links
Related Federal Websites
CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
HHS’ National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC)
HRSA’s Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines (ACCV)
FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee
IOM’s Immunization Safety Review (ISR)