The Biden administration has ceased providing vaccines to migrants at the southern border before their release into the U.S., according to sources within the federal agencies and vaccine contractors. The government has discontinued its flu and COVID-19 vaccination efforts for those crossing illegally since September 2023, coinciding with the onset of flu season.
Tom Douglas, Vice President of Universal Healthcare, the contracted vaccine provider, confirmed the halt in operations. This decision leaves the door wide open for a public health and national security crisis. Douglas stressed the urgency to not only resume but broaden these vaccinations as diseases like tuberculosis, measles, and more resurge, tracing back to newly arrived migrants.
In March, Chicago’s Health Department documented 64 measles cases linked to migrant facilities, prompting the city to fund over 26,000 measles vaccines. In April, tuberculosis cases emerged among migrants in Chicago—an issue not isolated to Illinois. New York City and California also report spikes in diseases following the influx of migrants under Biden’s permissive policies.
Cities across the nation, especially sanctuary cities, grapple with the multitude of issues arising from the swarm of migrants: housing, public health, and employment challenges. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security remains opaque about the exact numbers of these migrants, exacerbating public concerns.
Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ), a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, lambasted the situation as a “government-orchestrated invasion,” highlighting the health risks posed by this flood of unvaccinated individuals. The hypocrisy is not lost on Americans, who recall the draconian vaccine mandates imposed on federal employees and the military—an authoritarian maneuver that faced widespread backlash.
Chicago, like other cities, had to independently invest millions to beef up their medical workforce and prepare for outbreaks of diseases not seen in decades. Despite the evident public health threats, Border Patrol facilities, designed for short-term detainment, lack the capacity or mandate to ensure comprehensive medical care for hundreds of thousands of migrants.
The discontinuation of vaccinations stems from budgetary issues and Pfizer’s price hike on vaccine doses in 2023. This lapse in funding was not addressed in the fiscal 2024 budget, despite the dire need identified by Douglas and other CBP officials. While the DHS and CBP medical officers support these vaccinations, bureaucratic gridlock leaves cities and states to shoulder the financial and health burdens alone.
The contrast in policy is stark: the Biden administration’s strict vaccine mandate for federal employees, including Border Patrol agents, juxtaposed with their neglect towards the health of incoming migrants, is glaring. Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) decried this double standard, underscoring Biden’s disregard for American safety in favor of political optics.
Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX) echoed the sentiment, condemning the vaccine mandates as politically motivated rather than scientifically grounded. This policy inconsistency underscores a broader failure of the Biden administration to protect American citizens from health risks while pandering to open-border advocates.
Douglas remains optimistic about the potential for resumed operations, citing continued support from CBP. However, it is evident that immediate action is needed, not just discussions and meetings. The health and safety of American citizens are at stake, and the conservative consensus is clear: the Biden administration must prioritize public safety over political correctness, ensuring that all migrants are vaccinated before they disperse into communities across the nation.
Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT) aptly summed up the situation, criticizing the administration’s “backwards” logic and highlighting a clear favoritism towards illegal immigrants over American servicemen and women. The silence from the White House and DHS on this critical issue speaks volumes. America cannot afford to let political games endanger public health and national security.
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