As a nation that once led the world in public health innovation, the United States now faces a troubling resurgence of preventable diseases. From a sweeping outbreak of measles in 35 states to rising cases of whooping cough and a worrisome retreat from global vaccine programs, we are at a pivotal crossroads. This was the urgent message from medical experts during a recent American Community Media (ACoM) briefing held on May 30, where renowned scientists and public health leaders gathered to examine the troubling resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases in the U.S. and abroad.
A Crisis of Confidence and Commitment
The resurgence of diseases such as measles, once considered all but eradicated in the U.S., is not merely a medical issue—it’s a reflection of societal shifts, eroded trust, and policy changes. Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine opened the briefing with a stark reminder: “Prevention is the most noble goal of medicine. Vaccines have historically been our most powerful tool.”
But as vaccination rates decline and skepticism rises, this noble goal is slipping through our fingers. Schaffner noted that ignorance of diseases like polio and diphtheria among younger parents has bred complacency and hesitancy. “When the disease isn’t feared, the vaccine isn’t valued,” he said.
The consequences are devastating. A recent measles outbreak in a conservative Mennonite community in West Texas has already led to over 1,000 cases and three deaths. Contrary to assumptions, these outbreaks are not only occurring in marginalized or under-resourced populations. Middle-class, well-educated families are also opting out of vaccinations due to misinformation, distrust in public institutions, or a desire for “natural” living.
Inequities Resurface
What makes this moment particularly alarming is the simultaneous erosion of programs that helped eliminate health disparities. Cuts to Medicaid and children’s health programs are likely to lead to fewer vaccinated children, especially among economically disadvantaged and immigrant communities. “We are at risk of returning to the bad old days,” warned Schaffner, when healthcare access and vaccination were privileges, not rights.
Immigrant communities—many of whom rely on public health clinics and community outreach—face increasing barriers to vaccination. As Schaffner emphasized, “Vaccines don’t prevent disease. Vaccination does. You have to get the vaccines into people’s arms.”
The Global Impact: America’s Retreat from Leadership
Equally concerning is America’s retreat from the global vaccine stage. Once the largest contributor to GAVI, the Global Vaccine Alliance, the U.S. abruptly ended its funding in January. This move sent shockwaves through the international public health community and signals a disheartening shift from global cooperation to isolationism.
Dr. Benjamin Neuman of Texas A&M described the decision as “degrading to science.” He emphasized that cutting programs like GAVI and USAID doesn’t just hurt developing nations—it threatens American lives. “We’re all connected,” he said. “Stopping Ebola in Africa stops it from reaching America.”
Neuman also criticized the proposed restructuring of the FDA’s vaccine approval process, warning that requiring placebo trials for every vaccine update could delay critical responses and cost lives. “You don’t rebuild the wheel just to roll it once,” he quipped.
COVID-19 Vaccine Protocols: A Confusing Shift
Dr. Peter Chin-Hong from UCSF addressed the sudden changes in COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Come fall, only Americans over 65 or those with specific comorbidities will be eligible for the latest mRNA booster. Shockingly, this excludes pregnant people and young children under two—two groups with heightened vulnerability to severe illness.
“There’s no vaccine access for healthy pregnant individuals or healthy kids under two,” Chin-Hong stated. “That’s deeply concerning given what we know about immune suppression during pregnancy and immature immunity in infants.”
Worse still, these changes were not announced through traditional scientific channels but via a one-minute social media video, bypassing the usual rigorous advisory process. The result? Widespread confusion, diminished trust, and likely lower uptake of boosters—at a time when a new variant, NB.1.8.1, looms on the horizon.
PEPFAR and the Shadow of HIV/AIDS
Even as we battle vaccine-preventable diseases, the fate of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) remains uncertain. Founded in 2003, PEPFAR has saved over 25 million lives and provided antiretroviral therapy (ART) to more than 21 million people globally.
But as Dr. Jirair Ratevosian of Yale University revealed, a 90-day freeze on foreign aid has already disrupted treatment in many countries. Clinics have closed. Payments have stalled. Tens of thousands of people have been removed from life-saving regimens.
“When HIV treatment is interrupted, viral suppression is lost, drug resistance grows, and people die,” Ratevosian explained. “This isn’t hypothetical—it’s already happening.”
He warned that without swift reauthorization, PEPFAR could see millions more infections and deaths by 2030. “Global health is local health,” he reminded us. “We can’t afford to look away.”
The Stakes for Immigrant and Vulnerable Populations
For immigrant communities, these developments spell compounding vulnerabilities. Immigrants often live in multigenerational households, hold frontline jobs, and face systemic barriers to healthcare. Without clear policies and accessible vaccines, they are disproportionately exposed to preventable diseases.
Incarcerated populations, too, remain under-vaccinated—despite living in high-risk, congregate settings. As Dr. Schaffner put it, “We have the responsibility for their healthcare, yet too often they’re overlooked.”
The rollback of health initiatives and confusing eligibility criteria only deepen these disparities. As Hari Avtar Carr from India Currents asked during the briefing, “What happens to immigrant communities when vaccination programs collapse?”
The answer, sadly, is already unfolding.
A Path Forward
Despite the grim outlook, the experts remain committed to science and public health. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is set to meet in June to finalize COVID-19 vaccine guidelines. There’s hope they may broaden eligibility again, particularly for pregnant women and young children.
But beyond policy, the call to action is clear: we must rebuild trust. We must ensure that immigrants, the uninsured, the skeptical, and the underserved are seen, heard, and protected. As Dr. Newman passionately stated, “Being anti-vaccine is fundamentally opposed to the founding principles of this nation. Freedom begins with freedom from disease.”
In these challenging times, The Immigrant Magazine stands in solidarity with those fighting for health equity. We echo the experts’ plea: vaccines only work when they are delivered—and believed in. Our collective future depends on it.
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