PRINTER'S NO. 1067
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
84
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY HANBIDGE, SANCHEZ, LONGIETTI, ISAACSON, HILL-
EVANS, MADDEN, HOWARD, DELLOSO, WARREN, SCHWEYER AND O'MARA,
MARCH 26, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, MARCH 26, 2021
A RESOLUTION
Urging the Department of Health to add cystic fibrosis to Phase
1A for COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
WHEREAS, Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease that
causes persistent lung infections and limits an individual's
ability to breathe over time; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with CF experience mutations in the
cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene,
which causes the CFTR protein to become dysfunctional; and
WHEREAS, When the CFTR protein is dysfunctional, it causes
mucus in various organs to become thick and sticky, which clogs
airways and traps germs like bacteria, leading to infections,
inflammation and respiratory failure; and
WHEREAS, For this reason, minimizing contact with germs is a
top concern for individuals with CF, which impacts approximately
35,000 individuals in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with CF can have a variety of symptoms,
including salty-tasting skin, persistent coughing, frequent lung
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infections, including pneumonia or bronchitis, wheezing, poor
growth and difficult bowel movements; and
WHEREAS, Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious
disease caused by a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2; and
WHEREAS, Individuals 60 years of age and over and individuals
with underlying medical problems, such as high blood pressure,
heart and lung problems, diabetes, obesity or cancer, are at
higher risk of developing serious illness from COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, Some individuals with CF are immunocompromised
because they have had lung transplants or other solid organ
transplants and are at an increased risk for severe illness from
COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation engages with Federal
and State decision makers about the dangers of respiratory
infections for individuals with CF and the needs of the CF
community; and
WHEREAS, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation calls for those with
CF to be considered high priority in Federal and State
vaccination distribution plans, given that CF patients have an
increased risk of serious illness from COVID-19 infection; and
WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
include CF on the list of conditions that may cause increased
risk for severe illness if infected with COVID-19; therefore be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the
Department of Health to add cystic fibrosis to Phase 1A for
COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
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