Washington, D.C.– In a letter to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) and Senator Al Franken (MN) asked the agency to consider granting a recommendation for universal use of vaccines preventing Meningitis B. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will be voting on a recommended usage on Wednesday. Joining Paulsen and Franken in sending the letter were Minnesota Congressmen John Kline and Tim Walz. In addition, the letter was signed by Sen. Ron Wyden (OR), Sen. Gary Peters (MI), Rep. Marsha Blackburn (TN-07), and Rep. Lynn Jenkins (KS-02).  

The letter, which is available here, states:

“We are pleased the Center for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recently recommended the use of two approved MenB vaccines in high-risk individuals and during outbreaks. However, limiting use of the vaccines to these instances will create a significant barrier to access the vaccine. In this scenario, private insurance companies and public health initiatives like the Vaccines for Children program will not cover the costs of the vaccine, limiting access to only those individuals who have the means to pay out-of-pocket or are unfortunate enough to attend a university with an outbreak.

“All parents should be able to give their children the vaccine prior to an outbreak without worrying about financial or other barriers. We urge the CDC and ACIP to give due consideration to granting a universal use recommendation in the young adult population for MenB vaccines at its June 24 meeting to ensure that this is possible.”

Background

Without a recommendation of universal use from the CDC, access to the Meningitis B vaccine is restricted to those who can afford to cover the cost of the vaccine or students at schools with confirmed outbreaks. In February, the CDC’s ACIP board voted for a limited recommendation of usage and tabled the next vote until June 24, 2015.   

Paulsen has previously raised concerns that bureaucratic red tape is putting young adults at risk from the deadly Meningitis B bacteria after several outbreaks at college campuses. Last summer, he accompanied Alicia Stillman to Canada to personally receive a MenB vaccine – highlighting the fact that vaccines had not been cleared in the U.S. despite being approved in 34 different countries. Alicia’s daughter, Emily, passed away in 2013 after contracting MenB.

Congressman Paulsenis co-chair of both the House Wellness Caucus and the Congressional Medical Technology Caucus. For more information on Congressman Paulsen’s work in Congress visit paulsen.house.gov. 

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