"A West Coast versus Southeast vaccine divide took shape on Wednesday as Pacific Coast states formed a compact to bulwark their vaccine recommendationswhile Florida moved to drop school shot requirements entirely. The moves come amid concern about changing vaccine recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ahead of flu season because influenza viruses often spread severely in schools. Last week the White House last week fired the CDC's newly installed director, Susan Monarez, prompting the resignation of other senior agency staff."
"Separately, The American Medical Association (AMA) issued a news release saying that Florida's plan would undermine decades of public health progress and place children and communities at increased risk for diseases such as measles, mumps, polio, and chickenpox resulting in serious illness, disability, and even death. While there is still time, we urge Florida to reconsider this change to help prevent a rise of infectious disease outbreaks that put health and lives at risk."
Pacific Coast states formed a compact to uphold vaccine recommendations while Florida moved to remove school vaccine requirements, creating a West Coast versus Southeast divide. The changes arose amid concern about shifting CDC vaccine guidance before flu season, since influenza often spreads severely in schools. The White House fired the CDC's newly installed director, Susan Monarez, prompting other senior agency resignations. Reports say Monarez was fired for disagreeing with vaccine policy shifts, including limiting shots for children sought by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a longtime antivaccination activist. Medical groups warned the Florida change could increase outbreaks and urged reconsideration.
Read at www.scientificamerican.com
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