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Child Vaccine Orders Stuck; States Await CDC Green Light
24 Sep
Summary
- Updated COVID-19 vaccines for children are on hold.
- Low-income children cannot access vaccines due to program limbo.
- Doctors express frustration over the inability to vaccinate eligible children.
States are anticipated to resume ordering updated coronavirus vaccines for nearly half the nation's children shortly, following a nearly month-long delay that had left the program in limbo. This pause prevented doctors from obtaining shots for low-income children, even as infections have been on the rise in various parts of the country.
The Vaccines for Children program, administered by the CDC, serves children on Medicaid and those without adequate insurance. The expected reopening of orders is a crucial step, though providers will still need to receive shipments before doses can be administered.
Pediatricians have voiced their deep frustration, highlighting the inequity of being able to vaccinate some patients while being unable to serve others eligible through the federal program. Career CDC officials had completed preparations, indicating that opening orders was a matter of administrative approval.
Previously, a Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman stated that the CDC had not yet finalized procurement decisions, emphasizing a commitment to responsible resource management and ensuring vaccine appropriateness for program recipients.
