Thread by @NiskanenCenter

RECKLESSNESS that warrants a quick thread: Customs and border patrol (CBP) will not allow flu immunizations at immigrant detention camps...not even when PRIVATE individuals offer to provide them at no cost to the government. 1/ thebulwark.com/why-is-the-u-s…

The flu is a dangerous virus that can be controlled with annual immunization. In the winter of 2017-18, the flu and its complications killed 80,000 Americans. The CDC is adamant about the need to immunize children seeking asylum against the flu. 2/ statnews.com/2018/09/26/cdc…

ALSO, medical exams are generally mandatory for all refugees coming into the country and all applicants outside the U.S. applying for an immigrant visa. The U.S. can turn individuals lack of proof of vaccinations. That includes people with the flu. 3/ #immigration #FluSeason

Historically, CBP has never provided immunizations for detained migrants due to the short-term nature of CBP holding. But now that CBP facilities are so crowded, it seems necessary to change the policies. 4/ #detentioncenters #VaccinesWork #CBP

If CBP were to administer immunizations itself, the cost would be minimal; about $1.40 per immunization, and would likely prevent costly hospitalizations that result from complications of preventable disease. 5/ #FluShot #immigrationreform

Allowing physician volunteers access to the populations in the interim to administer immunizations at such low or no cost, with such obvious positive consequences, is a no-brainer. @kdpindc via @BulwarkOnline. 6/6 thebulwark.com/why-is-the-u-s…

@kdpindc @BulwarkOnline May be of interest to: @anoorani, @DMiliband, @UNITEDWEDREAM, @ReignOfApril, @RAICESTEXAS, and others concerned about what is happening at our southern border and in our immigration system at large.