490: Immunization Policy Statement, Fiscal Year Predictions

JANSON SILVERS: 

This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Friday, August 25, 2023. I'm Janson Silvers. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

KRIS EHRESMANN: 

So, this recommendation covers that whole long list of things that leaders need to consider, as they're thinking about how to best be successful in supporting immunization in their jurisdiction.

SILVERS: 

It's National Immunization Awareness Month and ASTHO has a new, revised policy statement on immunizations. Kris Ehresmann, formerly with the Minnesota Department of Health, explains.

EHRESMANN: 

The immunization policy statement really shares ASTHO's support for immunizations, lets people know the importance of immunizations, and then provides recommendations for how states and territories can be successful in supporting immunization programs and immunizations within their jurisdiction.

SILVERS: 

Ehresmann says the effort is to ensure immunizations are top-of-mind at a critical season.

EHRESMANN: 

It's just a reminder for folks that, hey, it's important that we're paying attention to immunizations and our immunization programs because this is a time when influenza vaccination is really important, there'll be new COVID boosters, and so that's one reason why fall is an important time to be thinking about immunizations.

SILVERS: 

Especially after COVID-19 hurt childhood immunization numbers.

EHRESMANN: 

During COVID, there were so many competing priorities that especially childhood immunizations, and the coverage levels that we typically see, really took a hit. And so, I think it's important that we're reminded that immunizations are a wonderful investment.

SILVERS: 

Read ASTHO's updated policy statement in the show notes.

The end of the fiscal year is rapidly approaching, which leaves us with questions of what Congress will prioritize over the next few weeks. ASTHO's Jeffrey Ekoma gives us his predictions in this week's 'View from Washington, D.C.' report.

ROBERT JOHNSON: 

Jeffrey Ekoma, it's good to see you here with another 'View from Washington, D.C.' report. How are you?

JEFFREY EKOMA: 

I'm doing well. How are you?

JOHNSON: 

I'm doing great. Hey, you wrote a blog article about what ASTHO thinks Congress might do as it relates to public health between now and the end of the fiscal year, which is coming up fairly soon. What do you think the priorities might be over the next five to six weeks?

EKOMA: 

Yes, there are a couple of things to note. One, is fiscal year 2024 appropriations, which I would argue is probably the most important. We've talked about it a lot this year by reauthorizing the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act, is another really big priority. Addressing drug shortages, reauthorizing the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities, it's a lot to say, but the SUPPORT Act, are also really big priorities that we're tracking.

JOHNSON: 

A lot of big names there, a lot of big important policies, but really in five or six weeks, how much do we think we'll get done?

EKOMA: 

I think funding for the Federal Government is incredibly important and will need to be addressed before the end of the fiscal year. There has been some reporting about the interest from the House and Senate leadership and passing a stopgap spending bill that would extend funding through a continuing resolution through the end of the year. However, earlier this week, the House Freedom Caucus, you know, they came out and publicly opposed the continuing resolution that did not include their policy priorities related to the southern border, the Pentagon, and the Department of Justice. So, the threat of a shutdown grows with each day, and there's much more conversations that will need to occur both in the House and the Senate when they returned back to the Hill in the coming weeks.

JOHNSON: 

Those are all important issues that will need to be dealt with. Absolutely between now and September 30. But at the same time, public health is still a priority. How is ASTHO working to keep these issues on the front burner, on the minds of members of Congress and their team?

EKOMA: 

Yeah, we've been extremely engaged on these priorities and even more broadly on our strategic priorities that include addressing health equity and racial equity, workforce development, sustainable infrastructure improvements, data modernization, and evidence-based public health practices. We've also had conversations with staff on the Hill to support their work on various priorities related to things such as responding to RFIs that they put out, sharing national resources related to those priorities as well. I think overall, you know, we remain hopeful that some if not all of these priorities will be addressed soon, sort of noting that, you know, FY 24 appropriations are critically important and will sort of be at the top of the list. And we're hoping that everything else will also be addressed accordingly.

JOHNSON: 

You wrote a blog article about all of this and we'll have that link in the show notes today so people can go there and read the full report. And we'll also look forward to hearing from you again on another 'View from Washington, D.C.' report in the future.

EKOMA: 

Appreciate it, Robert. Always great talking to you and hope everyone enjoys the blog.

JANSON SILVERS: 

Recovery from the Hawaii wildfires is underway, serving as a good reminder that other issues from wildfires, like wildfire smoke, can also be a health and environmental hazard. ASTHO has a blog article about messaging and response strategies that help departments across the country of use to be successful. Find more information by using the link in the show notes.

Finally, today, ASTHO keeps you informed every day through your speakers right here on Public Health Review Morning Edition, but we also work to keep you informed through your inbox. Sign up for the Public Health Weekly newsletter to make sure you receive critical public health information in all forms. The latest public health news and trends every single week, right in your inbox. The link to sign up is in the show notes.

And if you have a minute, please take the time to give us a review. We'd like to know what you think.

That'll do it for today's newscast. We're back Monday morning with more ASTHO news and information. I'm Janson Silvers. You're listening to the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition. Have a great weekend.