Bill Summary
The proposed resolution aims to establish the first week of April as "Adolescent Immunization Action Week," emphasizing the importance of vaccinating adolescents and young adults to protect them from serious illnesses. It recognizes that these groups are particularly vulnerable and currently lag behind in vaccination rates, especially following disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The resolution highlights the role of vaccinations as safe and effective preventive health measures and calls for collective action among citizens, healthcare providers, and community organizations to improve immunization rates. It also addresses the need to combat misinformation about vaccines, particularly in rural and underserved communities, and urges healthcare providers to build trust and provide accurate information. Finally, the resolution requests that the President issue a proclamation to officially recognize this week and promote related activities.
Possible Impacts
The legislation regarding the designation of "Adolescent Immunization Action Week" can have several impacts on individuals and communities. Here are three examples:
1. **Increased Vaccination Rates**: By highlighting the importance of vaccinations during a designated week, the resolution aims to raise awareness and encourage adolescents and young adults to receive essential vaccines. This can lead to higher immunization rates, helping to protect these populations from vaccine-preventable diseases, ultimately reducing the incidence of serious illnesses in the community.
2. **Enhanced Access to Accurate Information**: The resolution calls for health care providers and community organizations to combat misinformation regarding vaccines. This initiative can empower parents, caregivers, and adolescents with access to accurate and comprehensive vaccine-related information, leading to more informed decision-making regarding vaccinations. In areas with historical mistrust, this can help build confidence in public health recommendations.
3. **Community Health Improvement**: By recognizing the collective responsibility of parents, caregivers, health care providers, and community organizations in promoting vaccinations, the resolution encourages a collaborative approach to public health. This can foster greater community engagement and participation in health initiatives, ultimately contributing to improved health outcomes and a stronger sense of community resilience against public health threats.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 388 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 388
Supporting the designation of the first week of April as ``Adolescent
Immunization Action Week'' and recognizing the importance of
encouraging vaccination for adolescents and young adults to protect
against serious illness.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 6, 2025
Mr. Espaillat (for himself, Mr. Carson, Ms. Norton, Mr. Auchincloss,
Ms. Velazquez, Mrs. Dingell, Ms. Scanlon, and Mr. Cohen) submitted the
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Supporting the designation of the first week of April as ``Adolescent
Immunization Action Week'' and recognizing the importance of
encouraging vaccination for adolescents and young adults to protect
against serious illness.
Whereas 2024 marks the 3rd 2025 marks the 4th annual nationally recognized
``Adolescent Immunization Action Week'';
Whereas adolescents and young adults are vital to the United States future
success and quality of life;
Whereas all adolescents and young adults deserve to be protected against
vaccine-preventable illness;
Whereas adolescents and young adults are a particularly vulnerable subset of the
United States population with respect to preventive health services;
Whereas through clinical trials and evaluation measures vaccines are proven to
be a safe and effective preventive health tool to protect adolescents
and young adults, and their communities, from serious illness;
Whereas immunization rates is one of the standards that is measured in the
Department of Health and Human Services' Healthy People 2030, a
multiobjective plan to improve the Nation's health over the next decade;
Whereas adolescents and young adults are below Healthy People goals for
recommended immunizations and have been slow to get up-to-date since the
COVID-19 pandemic;
Whereas protecting adolescents and young adults from vaccine-preventable illness
is a community responsibility held by parents, caregivers, and health
care providers to ensure the quality of life of individuals and the
community;
Whereas there is a need to address and heal mistrust in vaccines in rural and
underserved communities throughout the United States;
Whereas parents rate getting all recommended vaccines, getting a yearly flu
shot, and getting the new COVID-19 vaccine as lowest in importance (81
percent, 58 percent, and 46 percent respectively) compared to many other
preventive health behaviors for their teen;
Whereas 53 percent of teens residing in rural communities do not intend to get
the COVID-19 vaccine;
Whereas racial and ethnic vaccine coverage disparities persist in communities
throughout the United States;
Whereas more than 75 percent of parents and teens agree that there is a lot of
misinformation about vaccines;
Whereas parents, caregivers, adolescents, and young adults are in need of
accurate, easy-to-understand vaccine information to guide vaccination
decisions that will support lifelong health;
Whereas parents and caregivers residing in rural communities and in the Southern
United States are the least trusting of public health or government
agencies, and doctors or other health care providers as sources for
vaccine information;
Whereas, as the primary source of trusted health information for caregivers and
teens, health care providers have a duty to take action toward combating
misinformation and disinformation by conveying accurate vaccine
information; and
Whereas active collaboration amongst Federal, State, and local organizations is
critical to establishing immunization as a safe and effective
contributor to preventative health and to furthering the common goal of
high immunization coverage among adolescents and young adults: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the designation of Adolescent Immunization
Awareness Week;
(2) calls upon all citizens, community agencies, faith
groups, medical institutions, providers, elected leaders,
governmental agencies, and patient advocacy organizations to
increase their participation in the effort to support
immunizations for adolescents and young adults, thereby
protecting from vaccine-related illnesses and strengthening the
communities in which we live;
(3) calls upon health care providers to take active steps
to heal the historic medical mistrust in medically underserved
communities; and
(4) requests that the President issue a proclamation
calling upon the people of the United States to recognize
Adolescent Immunization Awareness Week with such participation,
activities, and programming.
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