CDC vaccine advisory panel makes COVID-19 vaccine a personal matter
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s immunization panel on Friday voted to make getting a COVID-19 vaccine shot a personal decision. File Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA
Members of a federal vaccine advisory panel voted to end its recommendation for individuals to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination in favor of personal assessment on Friday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted 12-0 to end its vaccine recommendation and instead make it a personal decision, The Hill reported.
“The risk-benefit of vaccination is most favorable for individuals who are not at an increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease and lowest for individuals who are not at an increased risk, according to the CDC list of COVID-19 risk factors,” the panel collectively said.
The new recommendation for those between ages 6 months and 64 years of age is to weigh the risks versus the benefits of being vaccinated against COVID-19.
Parents would have to choose for their respective children.
The advisory committee also recommended that people consult with their respective doctors to make informed decisions regarding the vaccine, but it voted against a motion that would have required a prescription to obtain a COVID shot.
The advisory panel’s actions on Friday might affect COVID-19 vaccine coverage among health insurers, but many had said they will continue to cover its cost at least through 2026, according to ABC News.
The panel’s decision still means health insurers will cover the COVID-19 vaccine, ACIP Chairman Martin Kulldorff said.
The CDC’s advisory panel also voted to abide by the Food and Drug Administration’s recent vaccine approval for a narrowed group comprised of those who are age 65 and over and those with medical issues.
Friday’s decisions come a day after the advisory panel voted to advise against using a combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine for children under age 4.
Instead, they favor separate vaccinations for measles, mumps and rubella and another for varicella, which protects against smallpox and shingles.
The American Lung Association criticized the move.
The group’s President Harold Wimmer said the panel’s action puts up a barrier for many.
“Today, ACIP voted to maintain access to COVID-19 vaccination for everyone six months and older but added a barrier to people getting vaccinated,” Wimmer said in a statement. “They changed from recommending widespread vaccination to recommending shared clinical decision-making (a discussion between a patient or caregiver and their healthcare provider) be added to the adult and childhood vaccination schedules.
“This change adds a burden and causes confusion, and no science was presented to support this action,” Wimmer said, adding that his group “strongly supports widespread vaccination, which is crucial for public health and this is especially true for respiratory viruses, including COVID-19.”