Federal Cuts Slash Millions from State Vaccination Programs

Millions of dollars earmarked for state and local vaccination programs have been cut, according to a review of Department of Health and Human Services financial agreements.

The reduced funding will likely force cuts to staffing and services, potentially resulting in lower vaccination rates, according to program officials. Much of the money states spend on vaccination programs comes from federal sources.

Several states, including Arizona, California, Indiana and New York, received less funding this year than they did in 2019, before the pandemic began.

The cuts align with the Trump administration's stated focus on budget reduction. An HHS spokesperson confirmed the agency has been working on cost-cutting efforts across its programs.

Public health advocates describe the funding reductions as part of a broader pattern aimed at dismantling the agency's vaccination infrastructure. The cuts come as states continue managing routine immunization programs alongside ongoing public health challenges.