Chrissy Buteas, President and Chief Executive Officer of the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ), issued a statement on January 5, 2026, in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recent announcement regarding a reduction in recommended childhood vaccines.
In her statement, Buteas emphasized the longstanding role of vaccines in public health. “Vaccines have been used for hundreds of years and have become one of the most critical pillars of our modern public health system, keeping people – and especially children – healthy and alive. Epidemics and pandemics that used to devastate entire countries, their populations, families and national economies have been tamed or even eliminated due to the fact-based science behind vaccination schedules.”
She also highlighted New Jersey’s history in medical innovation. “For over a century, New Jersey has been at the forefront of medical innovation, including vaccines, which remain one of the most effective, easiest and least expensive ways humanity defends against deadly contagious viral and bacterial infections. We will continue educating patients and policymakers everywhere about the life-saving value of vaccines for people of all ages.”
