Tens of millions of low-income uninsured or underinsured adults lack access to routine life-saving vaccines. Creating a robust safety net for this population is critically important. Fully funding the 317 program is the solution.
Welcome to the 317 Coalition! We champion increasing federal funding for the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the CDC immunization program commonly known as “Section 317” of the Public Health Service Act. The 317 program provides grants to states to immunize underserved populations, such as underinsured adults who have no other means to pay for vaccinations. The program also serves as the backbone of the nation's public health infrastructure by monitoring vaccination coverage, targeting specific populations, and helping providers and the public make informed decisions about vaccine use. Our updated issue brief outlines the 317 program’s priorities. LEARN MORE>>>
The COVID-19 pandemic upended routine immunization practices nationwide. Compared to childhood vaccination efforts in 2018 and 2019, routine childhood vaccination rates decreased substantially in 2020. Physicians across the country ordered 11.5 million fewer vaccine doses in 2020 compared to 2019. Notably, in Michigan, more than 20 percent fewer vaccine doses were administered to children under 18 years of age in May 2020 compared to a similar period in 2018–2019. Routine childhood vaccination is a cornerstone of public health practice and a frontline tool to prevent morbidity and mortality among younger populations. A decline in vaccination coverage can compromise herd immunity and propagate outbreaks; now is the time to invest in our collective health and future through the 317 program.
