Gilbert R. Cisneros: “I rise today to address the dangerous actions of the Health and Human Services Secretary in regard to vaccines. Vaccines…”

“I rise today to address the dangerous actions of the Health and Human Services Secretary in regard to vaccines. Vaccines play a critical role in protecting our entire population in the United States. They are the most powerful tool we have against serious infectious diseases. They help our immune system learn how to fight against viruses and prevent disease from spreading to our neighbors, communities, and loved ones. A 2024 CDC study showed that routine vaccines have prevented over 508 million cases of illness in children. The impact is immeasurable. That is hundreds of millions of children who are saved from having to suffer through a miserable illness. On top of that, their family, friends, neighbors, classmates, and loved ones are all able to stay guarded from these viruses and diseases. It is really all thanks to modern medicine, science, research, and the proven success of vaccines. The United States military administers 17 vaccines to military personnel on the basis of occupation, location of their deployment, and mission requirements. Once common diseases like polio, tetanus, and hepatitis B are now almost unheard of, thanks to routine vaccinations. Vaccines have become so effective that people have forgotten the serious threat that they guard against in our communities, and now, they are trying to politicize one of the most revolutionary developments of modern medicine.”