The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion on Aug. 5 by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, 3rd District, to protect community health and maximize local resources for vaccine education and access as federal funding for immunization programs face cuts. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Hilda Solis, 1st District.

Los Angeles County’s Department of Public Health is facing a 26% reduction to its Vaccine Preventable Disease Control Program under a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funding agreement. The reductions threaten critical local efforts to educate residents and prevent the spread of communicable diseases, the supervisors said. Measles cases in California have already surpassed last year’s total, signaling the urgent need to maintain outreach, especially in underserved communities.

“[This] action is about keeping people healthy and preventing the spread of disease – something that should never be up for debate,” Horvath said. “Even as federal funding is pulled back, Los Angeles County is stepping up, stretching every resource we have to make sure communities stay informed and protected.”

The board directed the Department of Public Health to report back in 60 days on the impact of federal vaccine funding cuts, to identify high-need communities and outline a plan to sustain services. DPH will also coordinate with partners to expand vaccine education, fight misinformation and connect residents with low-cost options.

“Now more than ever, as the safety net for our most vulnerable, the County of Los Angeles must be prepared for the fiscal and ever changing federal policy challenges,”  Solis said. “[This] motion ensures we move intentionally and proactively to ensure everyone, including families with children, older adults and residents with underlying health conditions are adequately informed and protected from often life-threatening, vaccine-preventable diseases.”

For information, visit ph.lacounty.gov/vaccines.