Epidemiologist breaks down what federal government Covid-19 vaccine guidance could mean for you

SALT LAKE CITY — Medical providers in Utah are reacting to the federal government's Covid-19 vaccine recommendation for certain groups. The CDC dropped its Covid-19 vaccine recommendation for healthy pregnant women and healthy children. The FDA now only recommends it for those 65 and older and those who are high risk. Utah state epidemiologist Dr. Leisha Nolen said she's interpreting the FDA's policy to mean the vaccine is no longer recommended for younger people or children. "This was communicated through the FDA," Dr. Nolen said. "The CDC, as I understand it, has not reviewed this recommendation. It is unusual. Usually, there's a group of external scientists, and physicians and experts who put out the recommendations of who should get vaccinated, what vaccines should be used. Our understanding is that did not happen this time." Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Junior announced the CDC dropping the recommendations in a video alongside the NIH director and FDA commissioner. He said there's a lack of clinical data to support repeat booster shots for children. Dr. Nolen said Covid-19 can make children very sick. "We know in Utah we had quite a few hospitalizations, in fact, over 60 hospitalizations in babies under one year of age last year," she said. Dr. Nolen said pregnant women can get more severe Covid-19 infections. "People could have chosen before whether or not to get the vaccine or not, even if they don't have medical conditions," she said. "This seems like it might be taking that choice away." Dr. Nolen is concerned about how this change in policy could impact how accessible the shots are for those who still want them. "Quite often, insurance companies base their coverage on what is recommended by the CDC committee," she said. "If this isn't recommended for everybody by the CDC committee, it's unclear whether or not insurance companies will pay for it. So we don't know what will happen at this time." She said there could be barriers with future Covid-19 vaccines. "The way that it is written, any new vaccine that comes out will need to go through a very extensive placebo controlled trial," Dr. Nolen said. "We know those usually take a very long time. They're exceptionally expensive and so for younger people, they'd had to get that type of vaccine. And we don't expect that type of vaccine to be available right away." We asked Intermountain Health how the new vaccine policies will impact patients. It sent a written statement:

The impact of the administration's decisions and partner agency recommendations specific to Covid-19 boosters is still unknown. We are unable to comment until more direction is shared on annual Covid-19 recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices through the standard review process and any potential supply limitations.

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