ICYMI: Here’s what’s been buzzing in Pennsylvania health care lately. From vaccine updates to screening access, we’ve got the highlights.

🩺Last week, the Pennsylvania Boards of Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine voted in support of the issuance of guidance on immunizations by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH). DOH recommends that Pennsylvanians follow the most recent immunization recommendations issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

💉The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention held a series of meetings to determine new recommendations that could significantly impact vaccine protocols; particularly for the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV), Hepatitis B, and COVID-19 vaccines. While these recommendations are not yet policies, they signal potential shifts that physicians should be aware of as the CDC reviews and decides on final guidance.

🏛️A new legislative effort is underway to ensure Pennsylvanians continue to have access to essential vaccines—regardless of changes in federal guidelines. House Bill 1828, recently introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, aims to require both private insurers and Medicaid to cover FDA-approved vaccines recommended by leading medical societies representing pediatricians, OB/GYNs, internists, and primary care physicians.

PAMED Joins Capitol Effort to Advance Prostate Cancer Screening Access

In recognition of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) Vice President Edward P. Balaban, DO, FACP, FASCO joined the Pennsylvania Prostate Cancer Coalition and state legislators at the Capitol to advocate for increased awareness, education, and access to life-saving screenings.

The event spotlighted Senate Bill 447, a cost-effective proposal that would align Pennsylvania’s prostate cancer screening policies with scientific best practices. The bill seeks to eliminate barriers that prevent high-risk individuals from receiving timely screenings, an essential step in early detection and treatment.

Mark your calendar for the following important HOD dates:

• Tuesday, Oct. 1 - Reference Committee Reports & Candidate Election information will be posted to www.pamedsoc.org/HOD
• Tuesday, Oct. 7 - Parliamentary Procedure Practice

Don't miss your section's annual business meetings in October! 

These meetings are an opportunity to connect with physicians in your demographic and discuss resolutions and business ahead of the House of Delegates meeting!



• Residents & Fellows Section: Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m.

💉Sanofi to Offer All Insulins for $35/Month in the US

🦠PA Dept. of Health Issues 2025–2026 Respiratory Season Guidance

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