Legislation recently filed in the Alabama House of Representatives would prohibit any federal agency from expending public funds to advertise and promote vaccines after recently released data showed the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) spent over $18 million in such advertising from 2019 to 2024.
Last week, 1819 News detailed records showing ADPH spent $18.6 million in taxpayer dollars to advertise vaccines in the state in a five-year period.
The request, provided to 1819 News by Health Freedom Alabama (HFA), showed 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.
In response, State Rep. Mack Butler (R-Rainbow City) filed House Bill 367 (HB367) in the House, which would ban public funds from being used in vaccine advertising and provide penalties for violating agencies.
"Alabama taxpayers should not be forced to fund pharmaceutical advertising. For far too long, public dollars have been funneled into pharmaceutical marketing campaigns, handing over millions to promote corporate interests," Butler said. "I am committed to stopping this misuse of taxpayer funds. HB367 puts a stop to these wasteful and unethical handouts. No taxpayer should be forced to subsidize Big Pharma's marketing while these companies rake in billions in profit. This bill ensures that public money is used for the public good—not to boost corporate profits."
HB367 would prohibit any governmental entity or county health department from expending funds to advertise the use of vaccines.
The bill provides exceptions for printed educational materials distributed directly to patients within public health care settings that provide "balanced information about vaccines, including both risks and benefits."
Any educational materials distributed must include information on state law relating to vaccine requirements to attend K-12 schools or universities, including state law providing for any exemptions to those vaccine requirements, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), and how to report a vaccine injury.
"Health Freedom Alabama fully supports this legislation and urges lawmakers to stand with the people, not pharmaceutical giants," said HFA Director Stephanie Durnin. "Alabama tax dollars should serve the people—not Big Pharma."
The bill approves the attorney general to investigate suspected violations. If any is found in a government agency, the amount of money used in violation will be reported to the chairs of the respective budgeting committee, who will then subtract that amount from the agency's appropriations for the
A county health department would likewise have its funding cut by the local county commission in the amount determined by the attorney general.
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