AMHERST, MASS. — Amherst Pediatrics has removed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from its list of trusted sources for vaccine information, directing patients to state and private medical organizations instead. The practice updated its public guidance following the removal of several vaccines from the federal recommended schedule.

Dr. John Snyder, a pediatrician at Amherst Pediatrics in Amherst, Massachusetts, has practiced for 30 years. The practice updated its website to state that the CDC is no longer considered to be a reliable or legitimate source of information. The site directs families to obtain vaccine information from their doctor, the state of Massachusetts, or nongovernmental medical organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Despite the stated lack of trust in the agency, information sheets provided by Amherst Pediatrics are stamped with the CDC's logo as required by law. This legal requirement creates a visible tension between the practice's public stance and the federal mandates governing patient materials.

The American Academy of Pediatrics advised against the CDC's removal of vaccines from the recommended schedule in January. This national medical group remains a primary resource for the local practice and other providers in the region who have sought alternative guidance.

Pediatricians and health departments in the Connecticut River Valley of Western Massachusetts launched an independent vaccine information campaign called Valley Vax. Kiko Malin, the director of Amherst's public health department, coordinates the Valley Vax effort. The campaign shows advice from local doctors and national medical groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Valley Vax purchased advertisements on the sides of buses in Western Massachusetts featuring local doctors. These advertisements serve as a visible component of the regional effort to maintain public confidence in immunization schedules during changes to federal recommendations.

Patients at the practice continue to receive vaccinations according to the updated guidance. Tenzin Dekey accepted the MMR and chickenpox vaccines for her 1-year-old son at Amherst Pediatrics. A 14-year-old patient at the practice also agreed to receive the HPV vaccine.

Federal legislation regarding vaccine injury compensation remains active in Congress. To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for the Judiciary, Court of Appeals, District Courts, and Other Judicial Services, Salaries and Expenses, National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act for fiscal year 2024 was sponsored by Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5]. The latest action on the measure was referral to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (NCVIA) of 1986 was signed into law by United States President Ronald Reagan on November 14, 1986. Under the NCVIA, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP) was created to provide a federal no-fault system for compensating vaccine-related injuries or death. This legal framework operates independently of the CDC's recommendation schedule but remains a critical component of the national vaccination infrastructure.

State-level records also reflect ongoing administrative activity related to public health oversight. Massachusetts SD 3691, the Secretary of the Commonwealth 2025 Agency Public Records Request Report, was sponsored by the Secretary of the Commonwealth and placed on file. These documents indicate that state agencies continue to process information requests related to health policy implementation.