The Ohio Osteopathic Association backed members of Congress on new legislation to codify a committee that makes vaccine-related recommendations to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The measure, known as the Family Vaccine Protection Act, would codify the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the role of which is to evaluate scientific evidence on vaccines. The panel has also been instrumental in ensuring health plan coverage for vaccines.
Under the bill, new vaccines would have to be considered by the ACIP within a certain timeline and its recommendations would have to be adopted by the CDC Director and HHS Secretary if supported by a preponderance of scientific evidence, according to the bill summary.
OOA was one of 40 osteopathic state and specialty associations to join the American Osteopathic Association in a joint letter of support to U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, MD, (D-WA) who sponsored the bill.
"As physicians, it is our duty to appropriately counsel our patients on necessary vaccinations," the groups say in the letter. "With 57% of osteopathic physicians practicing in primary care specialties including family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics, we are on the frontlines of immunization efforts, treating millions of Americans.
"Our physicians look to the ACIP’s recommendations for critical guidance in counseling patients on vaccinations, and understand the importance of ensuring science-based recommendations are not inappropriately ignored or altered."
AOA says the committee's work builds public trust in vaccinations. The legislation would protect the committee's authority.