The future of vaccination Against COVID-19 in the United States it is located at a turning point. As the virus evolves and the immunity of the population increases, government scientific advisors are considering a radical change in the immunization strategy, focusing on the most vulnerable groups. This possible modification occurs in a context of debate about the need for annual vaccines and the growing influence of critical voices with mass vaccination policies.
According to the investigation published by The New York Timesthe current debate revolves around whether to recommend vaccination to all Americans over six months or adopt a risk -based approach, similar to that followed in most countries, prioritizing older adults and people with chronic diseases.
Decisions about the future of COVID vaccines could be affected by new regulations related to clinical tests. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has suggested that substantial modifications to existing vaccines, such as adaptations to new strains, could be considered “new products” and require additional clinical evaluations, which would potentially delay the availability of updated doses. This measure would affect both vaccines against COVID-19 and possibly those of seasonal flu.
Food and medication administration (FDA) has already requested Novavax, for example, more clinical data before completely approving its COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Marty Makary, director of the agency, has expressed the need for vaccines available for high -risk individuals, but also the importance of having solid scientific and clinical data that support its use. This position reflects a growing caution in government regarding mass vaccination.
Additionally, officials in Washington are reviewing data on the impact of COVID-19 in children under 12 years, suggesting a possible reconsideration of the use of the vaccine in this age group. While some experts emphasize that pediatric deaths from COVID-19 are comparable to those of seasonal flu and advocate the availability of the vaccine, others point out that, although rare, pediatric deaths are significant and justify vaccination to reduce the risk of hospitalization.
However, the concern extends beyond vaccines against COVID-19. Some experts fear that these new federal limitations are a first step to undermine confidence in all vaccines, including those of the child vaccination calendar, generating doubts about their safety and imposing requirements that hinder their production. This perspective warns about a possible dismantling of vaccination infrastructure in the country.
The recommendations that CDC advisers made in April regarding the use of various vaccines have not yet received the support of an agency leader. To this situation is added that the agency does not have a permanent director and that an HHS official, Dr. William Archer, has publicly questioned the limitations of the Covid vaccine on social networks.
