Federal rules may discourage immigrants from vaccinating their children

Fear is preventing immigrant families from obtaining free vaccinations for their children, following a rule change published earlier this month in the Federal Register from the Trump administration to become final Oct. 15, pediatricians and public health officials say. They’ve seen a decline in preventive health services since an update to the “public charge” rule was proposed last fall, even for children who are U.S. citizens. Receiving public services — like housing support, some Medicaid benefits, and food stamps now called SNAP  — can count against anyone seeking a green card. So families are going without health care for which they are eligible, including free vaccinations, experts tell STAT’s Helen Branswell.