From 2019 to 2024, The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) spent over $18.6 million on vaccine advertising from 2019 to 2024.
A public records request by Health Freedom Alabama (HFA) revealed the information.
The request was narrowed to include expenditures for vaccine advertising in television, radio, print, digital media and public service announcements. The data provided by ADPH shows total spending of just over $18.6 million.
The ADPH data does not differentiate between state and federal spending in its breakdown since the request demanded expenditures from "all state tax revenue, fees, or federal grants and programs." ADPH also did not enumerate the nature or modes of the advertising.
"This is a disgusting betrayal of the people of Alabama," said HFA director Stephanie Durnin. "While hardworking families struggle to afford groceries and gas, our state government is stealing their money to run ads for Big Pharma—a corrupt industry that rakes in record-breaking profits and pays zero liability when their products cause harm. This is corporate welfare at its worst, and every taxpayer should be outraged."
The spending was spread out among various advertising agencies. The largest recipient of funds was Advance Local Holdings Corp, owned by Advance Local Media — the owners of Al(dot)com. Advance Local received just over $3 million between 2019 and 2024.
The second largest ADPH fund recipient was A-L Tier II LLC, which received nearly $1.3 million in 2020. Although A-L Tier II LLC is not a registered business entity with the Alabama Secretary of State, according to FCC filings, it appears to be a subsidiary of Learfield Communications.
According to its website, Learfield partners with both the Alabama Crimson Tide and the UAB Blazers.
Karen Porter Marketing, which has no website and, according to the Secretary of State, was formed in 2020, received $1.1 million. The social media presence of Karen Porter Marketing, LLC appears to be a LinkedIn account and a Facebook page with 26 followers and no profile picture. The page's bio states it is the "Owner of 200 Junior Billboards in Alabama's High Density Black Areas."
Other notable recipients include the Alabama Press Association, the Alabama Pharmacy Association, Gray Media Group, IHeart Media and more. The full release of ADPH records can be found below.
ADPH ORR by Craig Monger on Scribd
"This is not 'public health'—this is government collusion with Big Pharma at the expense of Alabama citizens," Durnin continued. "ADPH is lining Pharma's pockets while ignoring real health issues in our state. They are not protecting the people of Alabama—they are serving as Pharma's PR firm, and we won't stand for it."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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