HQ Team
September 13, 2023: The US national public agency has recommended a COVID-19 vaccination policy where updated shots are given starting from six-month-old infants — in variance with the policies of European counterparts.
The Atlanta, Georgia-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that the updated vaccine targeting variants of the deadly virus would protect against the potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 illness this fall (September-November) and winter (December-February).
The Food and Drug Administration, the nation’s drug and medicine regulator, had on September 11, approved COVID-19 vaccines made by Moderna Inc., Pfizer Inc., and BioNTech Manufacturing GmbH.
Those vaccines are meant for people aged 12 and above and it authorised for emergency use in children aged six months up to 11 years. The final recommendation from the CDC comes after a panel of advisers to the agency voted 13-1.
CDC and ECDC
The vaccines are slated to be available later this week in the US market. The FDA is still reviewing Novavax’s protein-based vaccine shot.
The recommendations of the CDC, a United States federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services, are at variance from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) vaccination programs.
The ECDC stated that priority must be given to vulnerable groups and people aged 60 and above. Britain’s vaccine guidelines put emphasis on adults above 65, while Germany adheres to the ECDC recommendations.
Vaccination remains the best protection against COVID-19-related hospitalization and death. Vaccination also reduces your chance of suffering the effects of Long COVID, which can develop during or following acute infection and last for an extended duration., according to a CDC statement.
Receiving an updated COVID-19 vaccine can restore protection and provide enhanced protection against the variants currently responsible for most infections and hospitalizations in the United States.
Health insurance
Currently, in the US the dominant variants of the virus include E.5 and BA.2.86.
Last season, those who received a 2022-2023 COVID-19 vaccine saw greater protection against less illness and hospitalisation than those who did not receive a vaccine.
“To date, hundreds of millions of people have safely received a COVID-19 vaccine under the most intense safety monitoring in US history,” according to the statement.
A majority of Americans can still get a COVID-19 vaccine for free. For people with health insurance, most plans will cover the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost.
Americans who don’t have health insurance or with health plans that do not cover the cost can get a free vaccine from their local health centers and pharmacies participating in the CDC’s Bridge Access Program.
Children eligible for the Vaccines for Children program also may receive the vaccine from a provider enrolled in that program.
Vaccines for 3 viruses
“We have more tools than ever to prevent the worst outcomes from COVID-19,” said Director Mandy Cohen, M.D., M.P.H. “CDC is now recommending updated COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 6 months and older to better protect you and your loved ones.”
This is the first fall and winter virus season where vaccines are available for the three viruses responsible for most hospitalisations – COVID-19, RSV, and flu.
In the August 4-September 2 period, hospitalisations due to the COVID-19 virus rose 8.7% to 18,871 while deaths increased by 2.1% during the July-September period, according to the CDC.
The virus has globally killed nearly seven million people.
