Announced a few weeks ago, but seemed kind of important to acknowledge, considering how fucked it is.

The CDC is cutting money for state childhood vaccination programs, according to KFF Health News, which cites an agency email it obtained.

The cut comes from a federal immunization grant, given in the last year, that supports childhood vaccines. Agencies are reporting the cut amounts to 10% or more of their previous year’s award.

It’s a “significant change to your budget,” said the email, which was dated June 27 and signed by two CDC officials, KFF reported.

The email was sent to “immunization managers” who are public health officials that direct state, territorial, and local programs to promote vaccinations for measles, chickenpox, and other infectious diseases.

“There will be no easy solution for this,” said the CDC email. “We know that this change will require some tough decisions.”

CDC spokesperson Kristen Nordlund told KFF, “The budgetary impact is still being worked out.”

The budget cut will affect programs that identify communities vulnerable to disease outbreaks, said Claire Hannan, executive director of the Association of Immunization Managers.

Totally rational and definitely not depraved to cut budget for this program, especially coming off the heels of a devastating (and ongoing) pandemic.