Chairman Harris, Rep. Fiedler join medical experts and advocates to highlight vaccine education
Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler April 23, 2026 | 3:41 PM
PHILADELPHIA, April 23 – On Wednesday, House Appropriations Chairman Jordan Harris and Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, both D-Phila, spoke at the South Philadelphia location of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia alongside doctors, medical leaders, and community health advocates about the importance of childhood vaccinations.
The event was held in advance of 2026’s World Immunization Week, a project led by the World Health Organization that aims to highlight the need for collective action and to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease.
“As the state representative for the 186th District, I know how important it is for families to have access to trusted health care close to home. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s South Philadelphia campus is a vital resource for parents in our community, making it easier for families to get the care, guidance, and preventive services their children need. Vaccines remain one of the most effective tools we have to keep children healthy, in school, and thriving. When we invest in community-based care and make sure families have access to accurate information, we help give every child the healthy start they deserve,” Harris said.
“In just a few days I’ll be coming back here for my kids’ appointments. I know how tough it is as parent: you’re trying to do your best, keeping up with jobs, with paying for groceries, it is a lot,” said Fiedler. “Making health decisions can be overwhelming to add on to that. We are so lucky to have experts right here in South Philly who we can turn to, who we can trust.”
CHOP doctors and leaders at the event affirmed that vaccines are safe and effective. However, in recent years, vaccine hesitancy and misinformation about vaccines have spread, in part due to the anti-vaccination movement. An alarming decrease in vaccinations has become a growing public health issue, with over 12 measles cases reported in Pennsylvania in 2025.
“We are seeing concerning trends in declining vaccination rates. When fewer children are vaccinated, the risk of outbreaks rise, and our own children are put at risk,” said Dr. Lori Handy, associate director of the Vaccine Education Center at CHOP and an attending physician in infectious diseases. “At CHOP, we understand families have questions about vaccines, and we are committed to providing clear, accurate, science-based information so families can make informed decisions with confidence. It’s important for families to know that vaccines are safe, rigorously tested, and continuously monitored.”
“These days, families are bombarded with health information—especially online—but not all of it is accurate. That can be confusing, and it can make important decisions, like getting your child vaccinated, feel overwhelming,” said Dr. Katie Lockwood, a pediatrician at CHOP and a co-founder of Pediatric Health Chat. “That’s where CHOP’s Pediatric Health Chat comes in. We meet families where they are, sharing clear, reliable health information.”
Opened in 2016, the CHOP Pediatric Primary Care Center of South Philadelphia provides comprehensive healthcare, health education, nutrition and support services for children and families. The office is located within the South Philadelphia Health and Literacy Center, a first-of-its-kind facility that includes a branch of the Philadelphia Free Library, a city health center, and a recreation center and playground.
“At CHOP, we know that protecting children’s health takes more than clinical care—it takes strong partnerships, clear and accurate information, and services that are accessible to families where they live,” said Peter Grollman, senior vice president of CHOP External Affairs. “This location is one of my favorites because it reflects exactly that kind of collaboration in action.”
“It’s truly an honor to care for children and families in this community,” said Dr. Gabriela Marein-Efron, a pediatrician at CHOP Primary Care in South Philly. “We’re here for our patients through every stage—from a first newborn visit through their last teen appointment. We care for patients that speak a total of 22 different languages – the most diverse of any primary care location in the CHOP network, and it’s a privilege to care for our South Philly children and families every day.”
“A child’s health is shaped by more than medical care alone. Families often face challenges like housing instability, food insecurity, or difficulty accessing public benefits—and these issues can directly impact a child’s well-being,” said Andrew Yang of Community Legal Services, who works with CHOP through the Medical Legal Partnership. “Through the Medical Legal Partnership, we work alongside healthcare providers to address these barriers by connecting families with legal support and resources. By ensuring they have access to shelter, or health insurance, or income supports like disability payments or SNAP benefits, we aim to prevent health problems before they even occur.”
To learn more about the Primary Care Center of South Philadelphia, head to www.chop.edu/locations/primary-care-south-philadelphia.