HB2037 would allow pharmacists to administer more vaccines to children.

Last week, you received a PCIC action alert for HB2037— to call committee members requesting they vote no. On Wednesday, June 5, 2024, HB2037 was voted out of the Children and Youth Committee. Prior to the committee meeting, the bill was amended by Rep. Bullock, the prime sponsor of HB2037 and chairwoman of the Children and Youth committee. With the new amendments, this bill will allow pharmacists and pharmacy interns to administer any of the vaccines on the CDC-recommended schedule to children ages 5 and up with a script for the vaccines from a medical professional (a suggestion from a previous PCIC Lobby Day); it will also allow pharmacy technicians to vaccines children ages 8 and up with influenza and COVID-9 vaccines.The bill passed out of the committee with a vote of 15-10, with Rep. Joe Hogan (R) voting along with the democrat majority to amend and pass the bill.

In Harrisburg, June is the height of what is known as “budget season” which means all bills are referred to the Rules Committee after being voted out of their original committee. From the Rules Committee, it will head to the House floor for a 2nd consideration before it would be voted on after a 3rd consideration. Bills can move quickly and unexpectedly if the House leadership desires for it to move. This is why we are issuing this next action alert.

Please call your state representative today and ask them to vote NO on this bill. You can use their Capitol phone number. If that mailbox is full, you could try their district number(s). Every single phone call emphasizes to legislators that this bill poses real risks! A phone call is preferred (and leaving a voice mail is okay!), and an email is second best. Below are some talking points. Remember – if you have a personal vaccine injury story, this is a great time to share it!

To find your representative, click here.

Finally, there is an enormous national push to authorize pharmacists and technicians to administer vaccines. While we would have preferred this bill never even move from its committee, we recognize the reality of the situation is that the bill may continue to move forward. We are actively working with legislators to advocate for informed consent, and we want to recognize that the amendments added so far are a win.

ACTION ALERT TALKING POINTS

• The American Medical Association issued a statement in 2020 that opposed expanding pharmacists’ ability to administer childhood vaccines. They advocated for pharmacies to have important protocols in place before allowing pharmacy access. They stated, “We urge HHS to reconsider the negative health repercussions of funneling children away from their primary care physicians and rescind this declaration.”
• State agencies such as PIERS (formerly knowns as PA-SIIS) collect data on vaccines administration, without providers clearly explaining to patients that they are being included in a state database. There is an opt-out option; however, most people do not know that this exists. If this is a concern for you, let your legislator know!
• Pharmacist CEUs are focused on vaccine hesitancy instead of educating about vaccine reactions. Additionally, 80 accredited U.S. pharmacy schools responded to a recent survey and the mean “contact hours” dedicated to vaccines in the curriculum was only 8.4 hours. With children receiving over 80 doses of 17 different vaccines and 57 unique vaccines on the market, 8.4 hours is not enough education to responsibly administer them!
• For examples of reported side effects, see medAlerts.org. As with any medication, vaccines can have adverse side effects. Some individuals can have serious adverse reactions, such as seizures, severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), and sometimes death. As of May 1, 2024, the United States Government has paid out 5.22 billion dollars to vaccines through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Over 2.6 million adverse events and almost 48,000 deaths have been reported to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS).
• The CDC’s Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) list numerous contraindications to receiving vaccines and it is highly unlikely that a pharmacist has the time to adequately review that information with the family.
• It is highly unlikely that pharmacists will perform an exam at the pharmacy and take the child’s temperature to make sure they don’t have a fever. A fever is a contraindication to many vaccines as noted in the CDC’s Vaccine Information Statements (VIS).
• Will pharmacists or technicians know if a child has had a serious or a life-threatening reaction to any vaccines given in the past that would then make them unable to receive future vaccines? Will they screen for pregnancy, allergy to yeast, or an allergy to ingredients found within the vaccines?

View Original Email Action Alert Oppose HB2037 | View Past Email Archive