{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.hirono.senate.gov/press-releases/hirono-introduces-bipartisan-bill-to-increase-seniors-access-to-shingles-vaccine", "Hirono Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Increase Seniors’ Access to Shingles Vaccine", "2016-11-22", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "HI", "Mazie Hirono", "H001042", "www.hirono.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hirono Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Increase Seniors\u2019 Access to Shingles Vaccine\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t1 in 3 Americans Will Develop Shingles in Their Lifetime\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, November 22, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSenators Mazie K. Hirono and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced the bipartisan Protecting Seniors through Immunization Act (S.3477) \u00a0to increase seniors\u2019 access to the shingles vaccine. Seniors are at a greater risk of developing shingles. Shingles is a painful rash and sufferers are at risk for developing more serious complications.\r\n\u201cSeniors in Hawaii and across the country, including millions on a fixed income, deserve the protection from the shingles virus regardless of their ability to pay for a vaccine. This bill, which I am proud to introduce with Senator Capito, provides these seniors access to the shingles vaccine without having to worry about high out of pocket costs,\u201d said Senator Hirono.\r\n\u201cWith roughly one million new cases emerging across the country each year, it is important that West Virginians have access to treatment that protects against shingles,\u201d\u00a0said Senator Capito. \u201cI\u2019m glad to partner with Senator Hirono to introduce this bill, which will make it easier for seniors, who face a greater risk of battling this painful disease, to receive the vaccines they need.\u201d\r\n\u201cThe Adult Vaccine Access Coalition (AVAC) endorses the Shingles Prevention Act, which would eliminate out-of-pocket shingles vaccine costs for Medicare Part D beneficiaries and ensure that they receive important information about Medicare vaccine coverage,\u201d said Laura Hanson, co-chair of AVAC. \u201cLess than 30 percent of Americans over the age of 60 have received a shingles vaccine; this bill addresses two of the biggest barriers\u2014cost and lack of awareness\u2014that prevent more Americans from accessing it.\u00a0As a diverse health coalition\u00a0devoted\u00a0exclusively to increasing adult vaccine rates, AVAC applauds Senators Hirono and Moore Capito for their leadership on this bill.\u201d\r\nThe Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that seniors over 60 receive the shingles vaccine. However, because of high out of pocket Medicare costs, only about a quarter of seniors get vaccinated. The Protecting Seniors through Immunization Act provides the shingles vaccine free of charge for Medicare Part D beneficiaries, and improves outreach on the importance of getting vaccinated.\u00a0\r\nThe Protecting Seniors through Immunization Act is supported by 23 organizations including the American College of Preventative Medicine, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.hirono.senate.gov/press-releases/hirono-introduces-bipartisan-bill-to-increase-seniors-access-to-shingles-vaccine"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.136325765401125, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}