Federal cuts cause vaccine clinic cancelations during measles surge

Dozens of vaccine clinics in multiple states were canceled after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention abruptly cut $11.4 billion in COVID-19-related funds for state and local health departments in March. Although a federal judge temporarily halted the cuts, many of the organizations receiving the money said they cannot use the funds, raising concerns amid a measles resurgence, an increase in vaccine hesitancy and growing distrust of public health agencies. Due to chronic underfunding of public health departments, many clinics were using the COVID-19 funding to shore up programs for other preventable diseases, including flu and measles. Public health officials contend the measles outbreak, which has surged to more than 700 cases, has spread in part because health departments lack sufficient vaccine program funding. (KFF News article, 4/11/25)