RFK Jr.'s CDC isn’t letting states order COVID-19 shots for kids, blocking access
US health deptartment said it wants to ensure the vaccine orders are "appropriate."
As the respiratory virus season approaches and fall vaccination drives commence, over half of U.S. children are now uncertain about their access to the COVID-19 shot for the current season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has unexpectedly halted the distribution of the seasonal COVID-19 vaccines through a crucial federal program and in some states.
Typically, the CDC would permit states to procure the newly available seasonal COVID-19 vaccines via the Vaccine for Children (VFC) program. This initiative provides vaccines free of charge to children who are uninsured, underinsured, enrolled in Medicaid, or Indigenous people residing in the U.S. Approximately 52 percent of all U.S. children are eligible for vaccines through this program.
Moreover, The Guardian has revealed that at least 11 states and one U.S. territory are participating in a universal vaccine purchase program. In this arrangement, these states and territories acquire all vaccines for children—irrespective of their ability to pay or insurance status—through contracts typically reserved for the VFC. The participating states and territory include Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming, and American Samoa.
Written by urgent.news from Ars Technica's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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