Updated · University of Minnesota Twin Cities · Sep 23
CDC Delays COVID Shots for 50% of US Children in VFC Program as Hospitalizations Rise
Updated
Updated · University of Minnesota Twin Cities · Sep 23
CDC Delays COVID Shots for 50% of US Children in VFC Program as Hospitalizations Rise
3 articles · Updated · University of Minnesota Twin Cities · Sep 23
Summary
More than half of US children who rely on the Vaccines for Children program still cannot get updated COVID shots, even though the CDC cleared the vaccines on Aug. 27 and manufacturers began shipping them by Sept. 7.
Five states—California, Georgia, New York, Pennsylvania and South Carolina—said VFC doses were unavailable because the CDC had not opened ordering, and states also could not order through the federal Section 317 program for underinsured adults.
Doctors can vaccinate privately insured children with purchased stock, but many must either turn away VFC-eligible patients or delay shots for everyone; New York is temporarily letting providers use private doses and replace them later.
The delay echoes last year, when VFC COVID shots arrived 40 days after approval, and officials warn it creates a two-tiered system that leaves babies and other low-income children exposed longer.
That uncertainty has been compounded by ACIP's failure to meet this year after HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. upended the advisory process, leaving no formal recommendation as HHS says procurement decisions are still being finalized.