Bill Overview
Title: Protecting Our Children from the CDC Act
Description: This bill prohibits the inclusion of any COVID-19 vaccine on the child and adolescent immunization schedule (which lists the vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice for those populations) unless all clinical data related to the safety and efficacy of the vaccine is published on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Sponsors: Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5]
Target Audience
Population: Children and adolescents worldwide who are potential recipients of COVID-19 vaccines
Estimated Size: 73000000
- The global child population stands at approximately 2.2 billion, according to UNICEF.
- Vaccination schedules are a standard and critical health policy implemented globally to prevent disease outbreaks among children.
- The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice influences health policy not just in the U.S. but globally, due to its reputable standing.
- The COVID-19 vaccines have been recommended globally, including many developing countries, impacting children worldwide.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily affects families with children in the U.S. who follow the CDC vaccination schedule.
- A significant portion of the U.S. population values transparency in healthcare, especially in terms of vaccination safety data.
- There are varying perspectives among parents regarding vaccine transparency, with some highly valuing access to clinical data.
- The policy does not prohibit vaccination per se but could delay the addition of vaccines into schedules if data transparency criteria are not met.
- The budget constraints will limit the educational and administrative capacity to broadly communicate policy implications across communities.
Simulated Interviews
Elementary School Teacher (Austin, TX)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe in vaccinations, but I also think transparency about safety data is crucial.
- This policy is good because it will ensure all available information is out there.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Healthcare professional (New York, NY)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could delay important vaccinations for children, which concerns me.
- I am satisfied if this means more transparency and trust in health campaigns.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Freelance Journalist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy seems to address some transparency issues but might not change much for those who already trust the vaccines.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
College Student (Portland, OR)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Transparency is key; however, it should not impede public health interventions unnecessarily.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Small Business Owner (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I rarely trust government health mandates, so this requirement for transparency is refreshing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Graduate Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 1.5 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This seems like a stall tactic that could undermine health practitioners' work.
- Demands for transparency could add unnecessary bureaucracy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
IT Specialist (Boise, ID)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If this prevents forced vaccine schedule changes without proper data, I support it.
- Our family had a bad experience with vaccine side effects, so we advocate for more data.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
High School Counselor (Miami, FL)
Age: 44 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy might reassure some parents, but it won't change much unless it affects local community health outreach.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 53 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm curious if this would put any strain on CDC resources that could be used elsewhere.
- Families need to see the transparency efforts materialized objectively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Scientist (Houston, TX)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As someone who works in scientific research, data transparency is always welcome, but it must not delay critical health interventions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 2: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 3: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 5: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 10: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Key Considerations
- The public availability of clinical data may enhance public trust in vaccines, potentially affecting vaccination rates.
- Costs could vary if there are changes to the amount of data required or level of detail necessary for publication.
- The legislation's enactment could set a precedent affecting other vaccines, potentially increasing administrative workloads.
- Litigation risk might be higher if disputes arise regarding the sufficiency of published data.