Vaccines

Congresswoman Maloney believes that vaccines are safe, effective, and absolutely essential for public health by preventing the suffering and costs of infectious diseases, and has been continually supportive of programs and legislation that would ensure people have access to vaccines both at home and abroad. She has and continues to work with her colleagues to combat misinformation about vaccines and encourages all families to follow the guidance of their doctors.

COVID-19 Vaccine

As Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, Congresswoman Maloney is working to make sure that any COVID-19 vaccine is developed safely and readily available for everyone nationwide.

• On April 2, 2020, Chairwoman Maloney called on all members of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) to commit to setting affordable prices for any medications that are or may be used to prevent or treat coronavirus, including vaccines. In order to end the ongoing coronavirus crisis, every American—regardless of income or insurance status—must be able to afford any drug that is effective in preventing or treating the virus. It would be irresponsible and a danger to our entire nation to prevent any American from obtaining treatment because of the costs they may face. You can read the full letter to PhRMA here.

• On July 14, 2020, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform’s Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy held a virtual briefing entitled “Guardrails to Ensure a Safe and Effective COVID-19 Vaccine” to examine the process used by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to review and license or authorize any vaccine candidates for the novel coronavirus.

The Administration’s ‘Operation Warp Speed’ has promised that a safe and effective coronavirus vaccine will be approved and that 300 million doses will be available by January 2021. While we are all eager for a vaccine to be developed and deployed, the Congresswoman expressed that she was troubled by reports that the President is pressuring FDA to cut corners. There was bipartisan agreement among the experts that in developing a COVID-19 vaccine, even at record speed, we must not cut any corners. Transparency and rigorous scientific review are essential to building strong public trust, which we will need to widely deploy a vaccine and finally end this pandemic. You can read more about this briefing here.

Measles Outbreak in NYC

• In response to the recent measles outbreak, Congresswoman Maloney and her colleagues wrote to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield to ensure the CDC was providing support to states and localities experiencing outbreaks to help contain them and to prevent additional outbreaks.

• On May 30, 2019, Rep. Maloney hosted a roundtable with current Congresswoman and former HHS Secretary Donna Shalala on the importance of vaccines for public health in the wake of the measles outbreak in NYC. The Congresswomen were joined by Jennifer J. Raab, President of Hunter College; Councilman Ben Kallos; Dr. Jason Schwartz, Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Yale School of Public Health; and Dr. Adam Ratner, Director of Pediatric Infectious Disease at NYU Langone. Read more about the roundtable here.

• The Congresswoman joined with her colleagues to asked the appropriations committee to include $10 million for research to fight misinformation around vaccines and increase the acceptance of vaccines in the United States in the FY2020 LHHS appropriations bill.

Highlighted Legislative History:

• In 1993, she voted to create the Vaccines for Children program, which provides vaccines to children whose parents or guardians may not be able to afford them. This program ensures that all children are able to get their recommended vaccinations on schedule.
• Supported the inclusion of the Prevention and Public Health Fund in the Affordable Care Act, the first time Congress provided guaranteed annual funding to improve America’s public health infrastructure.  Since its creation in 2010, the fund has invested heavily in immunizations and vaccine coverage, and she has voted repeatedly against efforts by Republicans to cut funding for this important public health program.
• Cosponsored H.R. 1274, the Lifesaving Vaccine Technology Act of 1999 (106th Congress), which would establish a tax credit for research related to developing vaccines against widespread diseases.
• Cosponsored H.R. 4222, the Child Health Investment for Long-term Development (CHILD and Newborn) Act of 2005 (109th Congress), which, among other things, worked to ensure supply, logistical support, and distribution of essential drugs, vaccines, commodities, and equipment to newborns, children and mothers in the developing world.
• Cosponsored H.R. 4062, the Pandemic Preparedness and Response Act (109th Congress), which would ensure the country is prepared for a domestic pandemic and directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to procure antivirals, developed vaccines, and essential medications for the Strategic National Stockpile; and develop a national system for tracking and distributing antiviral medications and vaccines.
• Cosponsored H.Res. 688, Supporting the role of the United States in ensuring children in poor countries have access to vaccines and immunization through the GAVI Alliance (113th Congress).
• Has consistently been a supporter of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, submitting requests to the appropriations committee on their behalf in 2003, 2004, and 2005, and cosponsoring and voting in favor of H.Res. 844 in the 109th Congress, which recognized the achievements of the Initiative.
• Cosponsor of H.Res. 179 (116th Congress) which recognizes the importance of vaccinations and immunizations in the United States.
• Cosponsor of H.R. 1371 (116th Congress) which funds and supports comprehensive research for the creation of a universal influenza vaccine.
• In FY2020, she has asked the Appropriations Committee to make sure the polio eradication efforts of the CDC and USAID receive at least level funding, and to ensure robust funding for the Maternal and Child Health account, including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.