The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is considering ending its pandemic-era recommendation that virtually all Americans get vaccinated against COVID-19 each year. Instead, the agency may adopt a risk-based approach, where only adults over 65 years old and those with underlying health conditions would be recommended to receive two doses annually.
A final decision is expected in June after a formal vote by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The change is part of an effort to tailor vaccination recommendations to individual risk levels, rather than making them universally available.
According to CDC data, less than a quarter of adults and around 13% of children have received a COVID-19 vaccination this season. However, these numbers are increasing among seniors who are getting vaccinated. Critics argue that narrowing the recommendations could make it harder for people to access vaccines, particularly if pharmacists need patients to self-declare their illnesses.
Analysts suggest that a risk-based approach may not significantly impact vaccination rates. Data from previous years shows that targeting high-risk groups with specific recommendations has had limited success in increasing vaccine coverage. The CDC’s work group notes that the data supporting a narrower recommendation is not conclusive, but it does indicate that the current universal policy may not be as effective as previously thought.
A vote by the CDC’s advisory committee will shape federal immunization policies and influence how insurance companies cover vaccines and how doctors discuss them with patients.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-covid-vaccine-recommendations-advisers