As someone who’s lived through the unimaginable—surviving meningitis—I know how much it means to feel heard, protected, and supported by our healthcare systems.
Right now, we’re at a turning point.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)—the body that helps determine which vaccines are recommended in the U.S.—is preparing for a significant meeting. But there’s growing concern that key changes may affect how this committee operates: its transparency, how often it meets, and even who gets a seat at the table.
That’s why your voice is needed now more than ever.
🗣️ Why Speak Up?
You might be thinking, “What difference can a single comment make?”
But the truth is, it makes all the difference—especially when our health, our families, and our communities are on the line.
- By submitting a public comment, you’re helping to:
- Keep ACIP meetings open and transparent
- Ensure decisions are made with independent, expert input
- Support a strong, resilient public health system
- Remind decision-makers that real people—patients, survivors, families—are paying attention and care deeply
This is about more than policy. It’s about protecting lives, just like yours and mine.
📅 What’s Coming Up?
The rescheduled ACIP meeting (originally planned for February) is expected to include votes on important vaccines, including:
💉 Meningococcal vaccines
💉 Chikungunya vaccine
💉 Flu vaccines
💉 RSV vaccines for adults
And they’ll be discussing:
🧪 Maternal and pediatric RSV vaccines
🧬 HPV, Mpox, CMV, COVID-19 vaccines
📍 A likely addition: measles, which has been resurging in the U.S.
These are the kinds of decisions that ripple outward—affecting school policies, family planning, workplace safety, and how quickly lifesaving vaccines reach those who need them.
✍️ How You Can Help
Public comments—both written and oral—open on March 31.
It only takes a few minutes to share your thoughts, your story, or even just your support for keeping ACIP transparent and accountable.
📝 Submit yours through: regulations.gov
📄 You’ll find instructions, the agenda, and guidelines for making an impact.
💛 A Final Word from the Heart
Whether you’re a parent, a survivor, a health worker, or just someone who cares—this is your chance to help shape a safer, healthier future for all of us.
Because when we speak up together, we show that vaccine policy isn’t just about data points or debate—it’s about human lives, and the stories behind every single one.
Let’s remind them we’re here. And we’re paying attention.