Shapiro Creates State Vaccines-for-Children Program

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia creating a Pennsylvania version of the federal Vaccines for Children program to guarantee immunizations if federal coverage is reduced or eliminated. The order directs state agencies to ensure Medicaid and private insurers cover FDA- and medical-society-endorsed vaccines and establishes a state program to provide free vaccines to roughly 1.5 million children; insurers have committed to maintain coverage through the end of 2026. It also creates a vaccine-education workgroup, launches an online vaccine-data portal, and aligns state guidance with expert groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the FDA rather than recent ACIP changes. Shapiro framed the move as a response to political interference at the federal level under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The order takes effect Oct. 1 and mirrors steps taken by other Democratic governors while highlighting Pennsylvania’s large vaccine production industry and economic stake in protecting access.