Shapiro Admin State Boards DOH Vaccine Guidance | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Harrisburg, PA - As the federal government continues to sow confusion around vaccine access and recommendations, Governor Josh Shapiro's call for decisive action has once again delivered results. This week, Pennsylvania's State Board of Medicine, State Board of Nursing, and State Board of Osteopathic Medicine all voted to endorse the Pennsylvania Department of Health's (DOH) new vaccine guidance, ensuring Pennsylvanians and their health care providers - doctors, primary care physicians, pharmacists, nurses and more - have clear, evidence-based information to protect themselves and their families.

By formally endorsing DOH's issuance of guidance, the boards are giving clarity to doctors and the public, reinforcing patient protections, and ensuring continued access to vaccines across the Commonwealth.

"Vaccines save lives, protect families, and prevent dangerous diseases from spreading throughout our communities," said Governor Shapiro. "While the federal government creates confusion and pushes junk science, here in Pennsylvania, we are providing clear, evidence-based guidance to ensure Pennsylvanians and their doctors have trusted sources of information. Health care decisions should be up to you and your doctor - and my Administration will continue to protect Pennsylvanians' personal freedoms and parental rights."

Last week's confusing meeting of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) created mixed signals and resulted in new recommendations that could limit access to lifesaving vaccines, namely the combined MMRV vaccine for children under 4. In response to ACIP's chaos and its reversal of longstanding vaccine protocol, the Shapiro Administration issued clear recommendations expanding the list of trusted authorities Pennsylvanians should consult for vaccine guidance to include the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

Consistent, science-backed vaccine guidance ensures providers, insurers, and public health systems are aligned on the facts, giving Pennsylvanians reliable access to critical immunizations and safeguarding community health.

"As a practicing family physician in the Commonwealth for over two decades, I believe immunizations are essential to protecting both individuals and communities across the entire state," said State Board of Medicine Vice Chair Dr. Michael R. Ripchinski during a board meeting this week. "I support providing clear, evidence-based immunization guidance for Pennsylvania - consistent, transparent guidance that strengthens patients' confidence and ensures safe and effective vaccination practices across the Commonwealth."

To ensure families face no new financial barriers, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) confirmed that private insurance companies operating in the Commonwealth will continue to cover all vaccines previously recommended by ACIP in 2024 from now through the end of 2026.

The Shapiro Administration is cutting through the noise created by the federal government by aligning providers, insurers, and health systems around clear, consistent standards that safeguard vaccine access. These steps ensure Pennsylvanians can protect themselves and their communities from serious diseases while maintaining the freedom to make informed health care decisions.

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