Everything You Need to Know About the Latest COVID-19 Vaccine Policies: Your Questions Answered

In recent weeks, U.S. health officials have rapidly altered COVID-19 vaccine policies, significantly narrowing access. On May 20, the FDA unveiled a new framework, suggesting future vaccines will be approved solely for individuals aged 65 and above or those at elevated risk for severe illness without new clinical trials. Following that, on May 27, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that the CDC would no longer recommend COVID-19 vaccination for healthy children or pregnant women. Critics, including vaccine law expert Dorit Reiss, argue these decisions disregard standard protocols involving public consultation and expert committees. Uncertainties abound regarding the implications of these policy shifts, particularly concerning insurer coverage and access for children and pregnant individuals. Experts express concern for the potential ramifications of these abrupt changes.