Source: American Academy of Family Physicians, Julie Harrison, Senior Manager, State Affairs & Member Advocacy

Recently, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) shared an updated Speak Out in response to the recent executive order on vaccines. Most of the order promotes an alternative childhood vaccine schedule; however, the AFFP also wants to flag a section directing states to adopt this alternative schedule, and another encouraging legal challenges to state laws that prohibit vaccine exemptions. 

The order may drive states to take actions such as:

• Passing laws that align school vaccine requirements with the alternative schedule and/or allowing religious or other exemptions
• Issuing executive orders or regulations to align school vaccine requirements with the alternative schedule, or executive orders requiring exemptions.

State responses will likely depend on political control. Republican-led states are more likely to act. Democratic-led states are unlikely to respond but may face legal challenges to existing vaccine requirements.

In addition, please register and join the webinar Boosting Vaccine Access: Tools and Strategies for Advocates on Wednesday, August 26, at 3 p.m. This webinar is hosted by Vaccinate Your Family and the Infectious Disease Prevention Network, two organizations that the AAFP frequently collaborates with regarding vaccine policy.