Following today’s announcement of the changes to the pediatric vaccine schedule by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Families Fighting Flu Executive Director, Michele Slafkosky issued the following statement:
“Our organization was founded by families who had young children die of the flu, and today, more than 20 years later, we are devastated to see our nation’s public health officials cavalierly dismiss the importance of vaccinations that help protect children from diseases. American children’s lives are now at risk. That the CDC is announcing this change, during one of the earliest surges in flu cases– already exceeding the numbers of illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths at the same time as last year is even more disturbing. We are still weeks away from the expected peak of this flu season. This is an attempt to sow doubt in the safety of vaccines—in the case of the flu vaccine, one that has been administered safely for more than 80 years. We are determined—now more than ever to share our families’ stories about the dangers of the flu, so no other person—young or old unnecessarily puts themselves at risk by not being vaccinated.”