Navigating New Health Policies: A Look at the Impact on Chronic Illness and the Immunosuppressed
- rosetakelli
- Sep 9
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 10
For many Americans living with chronic health conditions or immunosuppression, the state of public health policy is something that needs to be taken seriously because it is a daily reality that affects their well-being and access to care. With the current administration's "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) initiative and the health policies being pursued by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., it is time for those in the chronic illness and immunosuppressed population to take further heed and pay even closer attention. The MAHA agenda, while broadly focused on combating chronic disease, includes a significant emphasis on vaccine and health policy that could have both direct and indirect impacts on these vulnerable populations.
One of the most notable shifts is the change in approach to vaccination. While Secretary Kennedy has stated that he does not intend to remove vaccines from those who want them, his policies, fringe ideas, and rhetoric have created a climate of uncertainty.
"We are gravely concerned that American people will needlessly suffer and die as a result of policies that turn away from sound interventions. After careful consideration, we insist on Kennedy’s resignation to restore the integrity, credibility and science-driven mission of HHS and all its agencies," -Statement from the Infectious Diseases Society of America
His department has ended federal support for the global vaccine alliance Gavi and has announced that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. The CDC's vaccine advisory panel has also been entirely replaced with new members, some of whom have a history of questioning vaccine science.
Based on the report in 2023 released by JAMA Network, COVID-19 ranked first among deaths caused by infectious or respiratory diseases for youths under age 19. Infants under a year old may be at higher risk of experiencing severe illness from COVID-19 compared with older children, studies show, and risks are also higher for infants under 6 months and those with underlying medical conditions.
“Vaccination during pregnancy can help protect infants after birth,” according to the CDC.
However, Kennedy announced in May that the federal government would no longer recommend COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant people and healthy children. Medical groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics opposed this decision and filed a lawsuit. And as of Wednesday, California, Oregon and Washington announced plans to form a "health alliance" to coordinate on unified public health recommendations, including guidance on vaccines.
The democratic governors of the three states said they formed the West Coast Health Alliance, and, through the partnership, the three states will start coordinating health guidelines by aligning immunization recommendations informed by respected national medical organizations. The alliance aims to provide residents with evidence-based guidance on vaccine safety and efficacy. We hope more states stand up for evidence-based data and science, because for people with chronic illnesses and those who are immunosuppressed, this new landscape is particularly concerning.
"Patients with rheumatic diseases—many of whom rely on immune-suppressive therapies—depend on clear, evidence-based vaccine guidance to protect against serious infections." - American College of Rheumatology
Those with chronic illnesses like lupus often rely on herd immunity—the protection provided when a large portion of the population is vaccinated—to shield them from dangerous infectious diseases. When vaccination rates decline, the risk of outbreaks of diseases like measles, which have already seen a resurgence, increases. This puts those who cannot be vaccinated, or for whom vaccines are less effective, in a precarious position. The new policies could also make it more difficult for some people to access vaccines. While the HHS says that shots will be available for "all patients who choose them after consulting with their doctors," some senators and medical professionals have raised concerns about the practical difficulties of this, including the need for a doctor's prescription for some groups, which could result in out-of-pocket costs and create barriers to access.
Beyond vaccines, the MAHA initiative centers on addressing the "root causes" of chronic disease, with a focus on diet, environmental toxins, and what the administration calls "overmedicalization." Though in theory, these things are good, for people with chronic conditions, this reframing of health can be a mixed bag. On one hand, a national conversation about the role of nutrition and the environment in public health is long overdue. On the other hand, some of the rhetoric has been criticized for placing the blame for chronic illness on individuals and their lifestyle choices, which overlooks the complex systemic factors at play, such as systemic injustice, racism, poverty, and access to care. Not to mention that it feeds into harmful stereotypes and ableism.
For the chronically ill and immunosuppressed, it's a time of both potential change and increased vigilance. The emphasis on preventative care and environmental health could, in theory, lead in some ways to a healthier society overall, which could be of benefit. However, the changes to vaccine policy and the reorganization of key public health agencies like the CDC have created considerable concern. It remains to be seen how these policies will fully translate into action and what the long-term consequences will be for those with lupus and other diseases who need the most robust and reliable public health protections.
Lastly, I would like to close with an excerpt from rheumnow.com that is supported by the esteemed professionals at the American College of Rheumatology:
On behalf of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), we express deep concern over recent developments at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that appear to undermine the agency’s longstanding commitment to science-based public health policy...
The ACR supports vaccine policies grounded in peer-reviewed science and clinical evidence. We urge policymakers to maintain transparent, science-driven processes in shaping vaccine recommendations. Excluding medical experts from advisory roles undermines public health, erodes trust in our nation’s health institutions, and puts patients at risk. -RheumNow
Compiled By:
Kelli (Casas) Roseta
**All resources provided by this blog are for informational purposes only, not to replace the advice of a medical professional. Kelli encourages you to always contact your medical provider with any specific questions or concerns regarding your illness. All intellectual property and content on this site and in this blog are owned by morethanlupus.com. This includes materials protected by copyright, trademark, or patent laws. Copyright, More Than Lupus 2025.
Sources:
September 2025
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