State Senators Cathy Giessel (R, Anchorage) and Donald Olson (D, Nome) joined forces to try and restore funding to Alaska’s immunization program for children and adults of all ages. Senator Giessel is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Senator Olson is a physician.

See Also: Your Essential Guide To Health Screenings and Vaccines
 
Giessel and Olson who are aware professionally of the preventive health benefits of immunization co-sponsored Senate Bill 144 to restore funding for three years for these preventive measures.

In 2010, Alaska received funding from the federal government of $4.3 million to pay for the entire immunization program for children and adults. This funding has gradually decreased to just $700,000 for 2013.

Under this legislation, the State of Alaska would continue to provide adults with free vaccines for influenza (the flu), pneumococcal (pneumonia), and TDaP (tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough).

Children would be provided with thirteen different vaccines recommended by health professionals varying from polio, influenza, Hepatitis A and B, and TDaP as well as other standard preventive vaccines.
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