The Biden administration has ceased the vaccination of migrants in custody at the southern border before their release into the United States, according to information from a federal agency and a government-contracted vaccine provider.
The federal initiative vaccinating migrants against flu and COVID-19 was scaled back last September, around the start of the flu season, says Tom Douglas, vice president of business development and government relations at Universal Healthcare, a vaccine contractor for the U.S. government.
“The operations ceased in September 2023,” Douglas stated during a phone call.
CBP confirmed to the Truth Voices that flu and COVID-19 vaccines are no longer an option for migrants. A federal contract with AMI, executed by Universal Healthcare, has ended, CBP added.
However, Douglas insists that restarting and even expanding these vaccinations is critical, given the spread of diseases traced back to migrants.
“This has escalated beyond a public health issue; it’s now a national security concern,” Douglas said in an interview this week. “We’re seeing the resurgence of previously eradicated diseases, and we must discuss tuberculosis, measles, and mumps. Quick and inexpensive vaccinations are essential health care tools.”
Rare diseases making a comeback
Since March 4, the Chicago Health Department has confirmed 64 measles cases originating from one of the city’s migrant housing facilities. The city has since funded over 26,000 measles vaccines for migrants and some residents.
In April, Chicago officials confirmed tuberculosis among newly arrived migrants from the southern border.
Other cities, typically sanctuary cities in northern or coastal states, face similar public health issues resulting from large numbers of migrants awaiting immigration hearings. These cities are grappling with challenges in housing, feeding, and providing healthcare for the migrants.
The Department of Homeland Security has not disclosed the exact number of migrants allowed into the country. However, migrants travel on public transportation and primarily rely on commercial flights and buses.
For instance, California saw a substantial increase in tuberculosis cases between 2019 and 2023, according to its Department of Public Health.
In August 2023, New York City’s health commissioner Ashwin Vasan warned medical professionals that many recent arrivals had come from countries with high TB rates. New York City spent $28 million in September 2023 to hire additional medical workers to prepare for potential outbreaks, including new COVID-19 variants, polio, and Ebola.
Illness and disease at the border
Beyond flu vaccines, migrants in Border Patrol custody have not been provided with other routine vaccinations like those for measles or tuberculosis.
Border Patrol, tasked with processing migrants and transferring or releasing them within three days, does not operate long-term housing facilities. Last year, the Border Patrol recorded one confirmed case of measles among roughly 2 million apprehended migrants. Details on the extent of medical testing were not disclosed.
“CBP officials prioritize health and safety through appropriate medical care and humanitarian assistance, coordinating with emergency medical services as needed,” a CBP spokesperson stated.
Migrants are initially screened for general medical issues by Border Patrol agents and receive a more thorough exam by one of the 1,300 contract medical personnel at processing facilities.
Vaccines rolled out
In late 2019, left-aligned groups protested outside a Southern California Border Patrol facility to demand vaccinations for detained migrants. The effort followed the flu deaths of three migrant children in federal custody. CBP claimed that a vaccination program was not feasible at that time.
“This is intentional cruelty; flu deaths are preventable with large-scale vaccination,” said Dr. Marie DeLuca, a protester.
Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA) argued in a December 2019 congressional hearing that not vaccinating migrants early could cause flu outbreaks within Border Patrol facilities.
By 2020, the pandemic shifted healthcare priorities, leading to a 2021 pilot program by Universal Healthcare and CBP, offering vaccines to migrants. The pilot saw about 2,700 migrants vaccinated daily, totaling over 80,000 per month.
The success of this pilot prompted a non-compete federal contract in January 2022, providing flu and COVID-19 vaccines at five major southern border sites. However, the program was voluntary.
The vaccination program ceased in September 2023, partly due to increased vaccine costs and expiring federal funding. Pfizer raised the price of its updated COVID-19 vaccine, complicating operations without renewed funding.
Blowback from Republicans
Republican lawmakers criticize the Biden administration for suspending the vaccine effort, considering it a threat to migrants’ and citizens’ health.
Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) described the migrant influx as a “government-orchestrated invasion,” posing health and security risks. Other Freedom Caucus members, including Bob Good (R-VA) and Andy Biggs (R-AZ), pointed out that the policy contradicts the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for Border Patrol agents.
During the pandemic, federal employees had to choose between vaccination or termination, leading to numerous lawsuits and agent resignations.
Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX) contended that vaccine mandates for federal employees were political.
A path forward for vaccinations
Douglas remains hopeful that vaccinations will resume with strong public support and a renewed federal contract.
“We’re seeing reemerging diseases. An expedited vaccination program is essential,” Douglas said. “Continuing the operation requires budgetary support, and it’s not a costly endeavor.”
The contract for migrant vaccinations from January 2022 through September 2023 cost over $100 million, with each shot priced at $90.
Douglas underlined that vaccinations save public health costs significantly, since migrants, often uninsured, create additional financial burdens for local hospitals.
Despite the halt, Douglas is optimistic about resuming vaccinations soon, pending funding and logistical arrangements.
Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT) called the current policy “absolutely backward,” criticizing the administration for prioritizing migrant health over military personnel.
The White House and DHS did not provide comments on the matter.
