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WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Paul D. Tonko questioned the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during a House Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing today and highlighted constituent voices who had shared their struggles accessing RSV and other vaccines to protect their infants and young children.

During his questions, Tonko referenced a letter he recently sent CDC alongside his two colleagues, Congresswoman Kim Schrier and Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo — both of whom are pediatricians — calling on the agency to address this issue and ensure that Americans have the resources they need to protect their children and loved ones.

Listen to Rep. Tonko’s remarks HERE and see below as prepared for delivery.

Seasonal RSV typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms, but in some cases the virus can cause serious illness and hospitalization. Infants and young children are at a particularly high risk of serious illness from RSV infection. 

This is the first year there’s an RSV vaccine for the youngest children, which is an incredible advancement.

• Dr. Cohen, what do parents need to know about the current RSV season and what steps can they take to keep their kids healthy?

In my district, I know that parents have heard CDC’s message to get their children vaccinated and there is high demand.

Unfortunately, parents in my district are having trouble finding the vaccine due to shortages, which I know CDC is aware of.

I also am hearing from many constituents about access issues for COVID-19 vaccines for children under three years old.

For example, Heather from Delmar, New York, contacted me and shared that she had been trying to find a vaccine for her two-year-old child, but there were no available options.

The closest location that would offer the vaccine to children under three was nearly two hours away in Hartford, Connecticut.

I’m also hearing about access issues for the RSV immunization for children and pregnant individuals. A mother from Albany, New York shared that her toddler has asthma and is considered at a more severe risk for infection complications, yet the immunization is not available locally for her son.

In response to these calls from constituents I reached out to two of my colleagues here in Congress who are both pediatricians: Congresswoman Schrier and Congresswoman Caraveo.

They shared my concern for the health and well-being of many of our youngest and most vulnerable constituents. With that in mind, this week we joined together to send a letter to CDC on pediatric vaccine access.

M. Chair, I’d like to enter this letter for the record.

I look forward to a complete response to this letter, but in the meantime, I have a few questions for you specific to the RSV vaccine.

• Dr. Cohen, how is CDC working with FDA and manufacturers to respond to the shortage of pediatric RSV vaccines?

• Looking ahead, is there anything that Congress should be doing now to help alleviate current and future pediatric RSV vaccine shortages?

The work that CDC does every year to educate Americans and help them prepare for seasonal viruses like RSV is indispensable. It is encouraging to see such strong demand for a new vaccine, and I look forward to working together to make sure that you have the resources you need to continue CDC’s important work.