Harrisburg, PA – In October, Governor Josh Shapiro signed Executive Order 2025-02 to safeguard vaccine access for Pennsylvanians and address any confusion caused by recent federal actions regarding vaccine safety and availability — and health care providers, especially pediatricians, are voicing their support for the Governor's efforts to safeguard vaccine access.
The Executive Order directs the Pennsylvania Department of Health to establish a state-based safety net to protect children’s vaccine access and ensures all state agencies align policies with trusted medical experts, including:
- Launching a central online vaccine portal
- Creating a Vaccine Education Workgroup to strengthen public communication and combat misinformation
- Ensuring continued coverage of recommended vaccines for all Pennsylvanians through Medicaid and private insurance
- Directing the Departments of Aging and Education to support older adults and schools in following evidence-based vaccine guidance
Watch Geisinger Women and Children’s Institute Chair of Pediatrics Dr. Frank Maffei and watch St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children Chair of Pediatrics Dr. Renee Turchi discuss why protecting vaccine access is critical for Pennsylvania children, or read the transcript below.
Dr. Frank Maffei, Chair of Pediatrics at Janet Weis Children's Hospital at Geisinger
Dr. Frank Maffei, Chair of Pediatrics at Janet Weis Children's Hospital at Geisinger, discusses what he sees when children aren't vaccinated.
Geisinger Women and Children’s Institute Chair of Pediatrics Dr. Frank Maffei
“I'm going to talk to you about what I see when children aren't vaccinated.
“And unfortunately, I do see children wind up in an ICU (Intensive Care Unit) for diseases that are preventable [with] vaccines.
“These include meningococemia, tetanus, whooping cough, or pertussis.
“These are diseases that we treat in an ICU, but we have a great deal of concern when a child gets that sick.
“So, we want to prevent that.
“We don't want to see our children hospitalized.
“We certainly don't want to see our children in ICUs.
“The best thing to do to prevent it is to get vaccinated.
“Listen to your pediatricians.
“They're there to keep your children healthy and safe.”
Dr. Renee Turchi Chair of Pediatrics at St Christopher's
Dr. Renee Turchi, Chair of Pediatrics at St. Christopher's, discusses why it's so important that vaccine access is protected in Pennsylvania.
St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children Chair of Pediatrics Dr. Renee Turchi
“It is paramount that we protect vaccine access for children, infants, youth and adults in Pennsylvania.
“That executive order that was put into place was a gift from the heavens to protect children.”
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