- Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that COVID-19 vaccines would be available only to people over age 65 or with qualifying health conditions. Kennedy and other officials also said the shots would no longer be recommended for pregnant people or children.
- These announcements sidestepped established, transparent processes for changes to vaccine policy, which for decades have gone through the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which is set to meet June 25–27.
- Ahead of the meeting, RFK Jr. abruptly removed all committee members and replaced them with his own allies, many of whom have downplayed the risks of COVID-19 and are vaccine skeptics. If ACIP agrees with Kennedy’s conclusions, insurance companies may not cover the shot for the general public.
- Restricted access to COVID-19 vaccines will mean more transmission, hospitalizations, and deaths, as well as a higher incidence of Long COVID.
- The policy changes are already sowing chaos and confusion, including for people who should still be eligible to get vaccinated.
I just tried to schedule a Covid shot at CVS in Massachusetts and was able to, so I’m not sure exactly why that is, but it’s good news.
When I went to CVS they wouldn’t give it to me unless I was immunocompromised. Maybe you’ll have better luck.
Shit. That’s not good. I didn’t try. I’m moving tomorrow and didn’t want to be feeling like crap when I have a long drive to make.
It is I suppose, but I was thinking I’d want to get a shot for the new variant(s) as they update them, and I don’t know if they are going to be doing that under this current set of “leaders”.
I bet the end game for Kennedy is to get it so insurance doesn’t cover vaccines and people have to pay outta pocket.
This sounds like a great idea. I have been getting mine in what is autumn here, but maybe I’ll get it before I can’t…
Better to have it and not need it…
Tonight’s news has a story about a new variant that can cause “razor blade throat” if you need another incentive