RFK Jr. and Covid vaccines: What to know

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Welcome to The Logoff: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is dropping a Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention advice that wholesome pregnant individuals and youngsters obtain the Covid-19 vaccine, a regarding signal for vaccine availability and the nation’s public well being companies.

What occurred right now? Kennedy, the Well being and Human Providers secretary, stated in a video posted to X on Tuesday morning that the Covid vaccine would now not be included within the CDC’s really helpful immunization schedule for wholesome pregnant individuals and youngsters. Being pregnant can result in elevated dangers from Covid-19, and really younger infants (who will be protected if their mom is vaccinated throughout being pregnant) even have greater charges of hospitalization.

What does that really imply for vaccine availability? Although the change received’t instantly stop anybody from receiving the vaccine, it is going to nearly actually make it tougher to entry by creating new value limitations. Insurers are required to cover recommended vaccines however not others, and a Covid vaccine prices about $140 out of pocket .

What else ought to I do know concerning the change? Tuesday’s announcement represents an finish run round regular coverage course of for vaccine suggestions within the US, experts told Stat News . Whereas Covid vaccine suggestions had been already under review , Kennedy seems to have circumvented the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in making his announcement Tuesday, opposite to a promise he made when he was up for Senate affirmation earlier this yr.

What’s the massive image? Kennedy has a long history of anti-vaccine advocacy ; his choice to change suggestions across the Covid vaccine with out full enter from nonpartisan consultants on the CDC represents a regarding politicization of public well being, one that would have well being penalties for Individuals.

And with that, it’s time to log out…

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