COVID Vaccine Access Whos Eligible Where

This autumn, navigating access to the COVID-19 vaccine is proving more complex than previous years. Due to changes in federal policy, spearheaded by an anti-vaccine activist appointed as a top health official, access to the life-saving shots has been restricted. This has been achieved by disregarding standard federal processes and providing no evidence-based reasoning for these changes.

Previously, the COVID-19 vaccines were readily available to anyone over 6 months old, easily accessible at local pharmacies. However, recent policy changes mean that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has altered vaccine labels, limiting access to those 65 years and older, and individuals with underlying health conditions that place them at high risk of severe COVID-19. This decision followed an unorthodox process, bypassing typical advisory channels and contradicting recommendations from medical experts, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), who maintain that pregnant women and young children remain vulnerable and should be vaccinated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also made changes, removing the recommendation for COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and stating that healthy children can receive the vaccine only with shared decision-making between parents, children, and their doctors. These changes occurred without the input of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which was later compromised by the appointment of anti-vaccine activists. Consequently, the ability of pharmacists to administer vaccines is now a confusing situation, with 19 states linking it to ACIP recommendations, leading to potential restrictions and the need for prescriptions, even for eligible individuals.

Individuals who meet the FDA criteria (those 65 and older, and those with underlying conditions) should still be able to get the vaccine at pharmacies in the 31 states with broader pharmacist vaccination authority. People under 65 with underlying conditions will likely need to self-attest to their eligibility. However, for healthy individuals who don't meet the FDA criteria but still want to be vaccinated, getting the vaccine would require a doctor or pharmacist to go "off-label", potentially raising liability concerns. Insurance coverage for off-label use remains unclear. State policies are rapidly evolving to address these changes, which could lead to further complexities or resolutions in vaccine access.

Fuente Original: https://arstechnica.com/health/2025/09/who-can-get-a-covid-vaccine-and-how-its-complicated/

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