National Viral
Hepatitis Roundtable
Public Policy Position Process
Support for 317 Immunization Grant Program Funds
Problem Definition
The 2005 President’s Budget proposes a reduction of 317 Immunization
Grant Program Funds of $109 million – from $644 million in 2004
to $535 million in FY 2005. This program serves as the major source in
the public sector for adult immunizations, and should not be cut, but
should be expanded to enhance efforts to protect people from vaccine preventable
Hepatitis A and B.
Proposed NVHR Policy Action
The NVHR should support the efforts of public health organizations already
involved in activities to expand 317 funding, and “go on record”
with Congress and the Administration concerning the benefits of adult
immunization expansion to eliminate vaccine-preventable viral hepatitis.
How this Action Supports Our Mission
317 Grant Program provides funds to insure high immunization rates. Since
the creation of the Vaccines for Children’s Program (VFC), to purchase
children’s vaccine, the 317 Grant Program supplied the financial
support to “maintain and enhance comprehensive state-based”
immunization efforts and to purchase adult vaccines as well. It: 1) builds
support for immunization for adults, 2) identifies “pockets of need”
for underimmunized groups, particularly minorities, 3) educates consumers
and providers, 4) creates immunization registries, and 5) provides surveillance
and outbreak management.
Vaccine purchase and distribution for “at risk adults” is
impacted by the President’s budget. The Association of State and
Territorial Health Officials’ (ASTHO) proposal requests an increase
of $180 million over the current budget; $289 million more than the President’s
2005 request. This includes $83 million for adult immunization activities.
By participating with the coalition and/or through independent educational
action, we could make our case for the elimination of viral hepatitis
for “at risk groups” which should be protected by the public
sector including: 1) minority populations (Latinos for Hepatitis A; African
Americans for Hepatitis B), 2) persons seen in STD, HIV, and substance
abuse programs, and 3) incarcerated individuals.
Time Sensitivity
Coalitions are currently undertaking action. ASTHO officials met with
key legislators during their annual “Hill Day” on March 11.
It is important to begin action and discussions as soon as possible to
impact the current budget cycle.
Allied and Opposition Groups
ASTHO and a coalition of public health organizations are currently promoting
expanding funding for the 317 Grant Program in the 2005 Budget. The Partnership
for Prevention should also be supportive although they might not take
a public position. They have, however, created a bipartisan Congressional
Prevention Coalition. Sen. Reed and Congressman Hoyer have been identified
as receptive members of Congress. We could take this time and use this
opportunity to educate decision-makers on the value of eliminating vaccine-preventable
viral hepatitis and support the CDC’s initiative to comprehensively
address the issue of Vaccines for Adults at Risk for Hepatitis (VFARH).
Others may propose additional, alternative arguments for 317 Grant Program
expansion, but this should not deter NVHR from assuring that populations
in need are given high visibility and consideration as this year’s
budget process continues.
NVHR Policy Statement
Maintaining 317 Immunization Grant Program Funding-FY 2005
The National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable is a diverse public-private partnership
composed of xx
Organizations addressing hepatitis A, B, and C. The goal of the Roundtable
is to eliminate viral hepatitis in the United States and, to that end,
it is currently developing a comprehensive plan to address the research,
screening and prevention, education, care and treatment needs of the nation.
That comprehensive plan will be completed and released in mid-2005. In
the meantime, the NVHR views the expansion of the President’s current
317 Immunization Grant Budget proposal as an important opportunity to
expand funding for vaccine purchase and administration for those adults
at risk for vaccine-preventable viral hepatitis.
317 Grant Program provides funds to insure high immunization rates. Since
the creation of the Vaccines for Children’s Program (VFC), to purchase
children’s vaccine, the 317 Grant Program supplied the financial
support to “maintain and enhance comprehensive state-based”
immunization efforts and to purchase adult vaccines as well. It: 1) builds
support for immunization for adults, 2) identifies “pockets of need”
for underimmunized groups, particularly minorities, 3) educates consumers
and providers, 4) creates immunization registries, and 5) provides surveillance
and outbreak management
Vaccine purchase and distribution for “at risk adults” is
impacted by the President’s budget. The Association of State and
Territorial Health Officials’ (ASTHO) and other vaccine policy experts
propose an increase of $180 million over the current budget; $289 million
more than the President’s 2005 request. This includes $83 million
for adult immunization activities.
We join with others in public health in calling for an increase in 317
funding in the 2005 budget in order to take critical steps towards eliminating
vaccine-preventable hepatitis in high risk adult populations, particularly
those protected by the public sector including: 1) minority populations
(Latinos for Hepatitis A; African Americans for Hepatitis B), 2) persons
seen in STD, HIV, and substance abuse programs, and 3) incarcerated individuals.
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