Title: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress disapproves of the December 20 COVID-19 vaccine distribution availability timeline guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution expresses disapproval of certain COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) vaccine distribution guidance issued by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and encourages the committee to revise the guidance to prioritize vaccination of those aged 65 and older.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1272 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1272

  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress 
     disapproves of the December 20 COVID-19 vaccine distribution 
 availability timeline guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and 
 Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           December 24, 2020

  Mr. Green of Tennessee (for himself and Ms. Gabbard) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
                                Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress 
     disapproves of the December 20 COVID-19 vaccine distribution 
 availability timeline guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and 
 Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

Whereas, on December 20, 2020, the CDC ACIP released updated guidance to States 
        regarding distribution of COVID-19 vaccines across the country;
Whereas the CDC has consistently warned of serious health complications and high 
        mortality rates amongst elder Americans over the age of 65 if they are 
        infected with COVID-19;
Whereas statistics gathered throughout the COVID-19 pandemic cite a disturbing 
        ratio of 79 percent of total related deaths being amongst elder 
        Americans over the age of 65;
Whereas CDC guidance outlines the first priority for COVID-19 vaccine 
        distribution will go to high-risk health care professionals and 
        residents of long-term care facilities;
Whereas CDC guidance recommends the second priority for COVID-19 vaccine 
        delivery will be the simultaneous distribution to 30 million ``Frontline 
        Essential Workers'' and 21 million Americans 75 years of age and older;
Whereas the majority of ``Frontline Essential Workers'' are under the age of 65, 
        and the CDC is therefore prioritizing young, healthy people ahead of 
        elder Americans between 65 to 74 years old, including those with 
        underlying health conditions;
Whereas CDC guidance recommends the third priority for COVID-19 vaccine delivery 
        will be the simultaneous distribution to 57 million ``Essential 
        Workers'', 32 million elder Americans 65-74 years of age, and 110 
        million Americans 16-64 years of age with high-risk medical conditions;
Whereas the majority of ``Essential Workers'' are under the age of 65, and the 
        CDC is therefore placing these workers at the same level of priority as 
        vulnerable elder Americans 65-74 years old, including many with high-
        risk health complications;
Whereas the current guidance allows 87 million ``Essential Workers'' to receive 
        the vaccine at or before the same time as elder Americans 65 and older, 
        and the CDC is therefore prioritizing tens of millions of young, healthy 
        workers to receive the vaccine ahead of those who are statistically far 
        more likely to die upon contracting the disease, according to their own 
        statistics;
Whereas the CDC itself, as of August 18, 2020, reported ratios of 
        hospitalization for age groups compared to the base of 18-29-year-olds 
        as the following:

    (1) 0-4 years, 4 x  lower,

    (2) 5-17 years, 9 x  lower,

    (3) 18-29 years, Comparison Group,

    (4) 30-39 years, 2 x  higher,

    (5) 40-49 years, 3 x  higher,

    (6) 50-64 years, 4 x  higher,

    (7) 65-74 years, 5 x  higher,

    (8) 75-84 years, 8 x  higher,

    (9) 85+ years, 13 x  higher;

Whereas the CDC itself, as of August 18, 2020, reports ratios of mortality for 
        age groups compared to the base of 18-29-year-olds as the following:

    (1) 0-4 years, 9 x  lower,

    (2) 5-17 years, 16 x  lower,

    (3) 18-29 years, Comparison Group,

    (4) 30-39 years, 4 x  higher,

    (5) 40-49 years, 10 x  higher,

    (6) 50-64 years, 30 x  higher,

    (7) 65-74 years, 90 x  higher,

    (8) 75-84 years, 220 x  higher,

    (9) 85+ years, 630 x  higher;

Whereas it has been scientifically established that the COVID vaccines are 
        highly effective in preventing vaccine recipients from developing severe 
        or life-threatening symptoms; and
Whereas it has not yet been scientifically established that the vaccine is 
        effective in preventing vaccine recipients from spreading the disease to 
        others: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) disapproves of the December 20 COVID-19 vaccine 
        distribution availability timeline guidance of CDC ACIP 
        prioritizing young, healthy workers above many aged 65 and 
        older; and
            (2) encourages CDC ACIP to revise its COVID-19 vaccine 
        guidance to prioritize those aged 65 and older before providing 
        the vaccine to those younger than 65.
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