House Bill 238, sponsored by Rep. Andrew Gray, D-Anchorage, would allow state health officials to follow guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics for childhood vaccinations.
“The impetus for getting this bill drafted was feat that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) might change the pediatric vaccination schedule,” he said.
Gray cited decisions made in early January by Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. so that instead of recommending vaccinations against 17 childhood illnesses, the CDC now recommends routine vaccinations against 11.
“The changes that RFK Jr. made were not based on new scientific evidence or studies; they were based on his political ideology,” Gray said. “Because I believe Alaska should make vaccination recommendations based on the best available science, my bill would allow Alaska to recommend routine pediatric vaccinations according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) vaccine schedule. The AAP’s schedule recommends routine vaccination against the original 17 diseases in the CDC’s previous vaccine schedule.”
Gray said he is concerned that by altering the vaccine schedule fewer children will be vaccinated and as a result children will be harmed.
“My bill does not require Alaska to follow the AAP’s vaccination schedule, rather it just offer’s the AAP’s as an option,” he said. “Right now, the CDC’s schedule is the only one mentioned in Alaska statute.”
Gray added that he hopes to discuss the legislation soon with Gov. Mike Dunleavy and gain his support for HB 238.
