NCL provided oral testimony to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in support of new pneumococcal vaccine recommendations for adults 65 years of age and older
June 22, 2022
Media contact: National Consumers League – Katie Brown, katie@nclnet.org, (202) 207-2832
Washington, DC— On June 22, 2022, NCL’s Health Policy Associate Milena Berhane provided oral testimony to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in support of new pneumococcal vaccine recommendations for adults 65 years of age and older. NCL comments appear below.
Thank you, Dr. Lee. My name is Milena Berhane, and today I am representing the National Consumers League. Since NCL’s founding in 1899 by social reformer Florence Kelley, we have advocated for the critical role immunizations play in the preservation and improvement of public health. We extend our gratitude to this Committee for the opportunity to present public comments.
According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), pneumococcal disease is a leading cause of serious illness throughout the world. In the US, nearly 50,000 people die each year from pneumonia. The death rate is even higher in those age 65 years and older. Vaccination is a critical public health measure for preventing disease, hospitalizations, and death, so it is critical that access to the pneumococcal vaccine is expanded.
We are concerned about the lack of clarity surrounding the current ACIP recommendations regarding the pneumococcal vaccine, for adults ages 65 years of age and older. It is critical that the recommendations for this age groups are clear, so that patients and providers are better able to understand who should receive which vaccine, and when. The pneumococcal vaccine will continue to be a safe and effective measure in protecting Americans from disease, and it is imperative that older adults are able to receive them.
Having clear recommendations for adults 65 years of age and older is also critical in addressing health equity issues, especially among older Black and Latinx populations that already face issues in lacking access to health care. Pneumococcal vaccine uptake needs to increase in these populations so that currently existing health disparities are not further exacerbated. Therefore, in order to promote health equity among all older adults and increase vaccination rates, it is critical that clear recommendations are provided for this age group.
The National Consumers League recognizes the extreme importance of immunizations in protecting the health and safety of all Americans, and will continue its efforts to increase vaccine confidence and uptake across lifespan. We look forward to the upcoming recommendations by this committee regarding the pneumococcal vaccine for older adults.
Thank you.
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About the National Consumers League (NCL)
The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.
