1. United States
2. Ind.
3. Letter

Routine childhood immunizations are a vital public health strategy that have provided immense health and economic benefits for children in the United States. According to the CDC, among children born from 1994 to 2023, routine vaccinations will prevent approximately 508 million cases of illness, 32 million hospitalizations, and 1.1 million premature deaths. This results in staggering cost savings of $540 billion in direct costs and $2.7 trillion in societal costs. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program has played a crucial role in ensuring broad access to vaccines for eligible children whose families may not otherwise be able to afford them. By reducing financial barriers, the VFC program has contributed significantly to achieving high vaccination coverage rates and promoting health equity. Preserving funding for the VFC program is essential to maintain these remarkable public health gains. Sustained investment in childhood immunization programs will not only safeguard the health and well-being of our nation's children but also continue to yield substantial long-term cost savings through the prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases and their associated healthcare costs and societal impacts. Protecting this funding is a wise investment in the future of our communities.