U.S. states face delays in ordering COVID-19 vaccines for children through federal programmes, raising concerns over immunisation access as CDC shifts vaccine recommendations amidst rising hesitancy.
U.S. states are facing delays in ordering COVID-19 vaccines for children through the federal programme that helps supply shots free of charge, as the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has not yet begun taking orders, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The delay affects the Vaccines for Children programme, which covers about half of the country’s young people, and comes at a moment when commercially insured patients can already receive vaccines at pharmacies such as CVS. The Wall Street Journal reported that government orders are normally placed within about two weeks of vaccines becoming available for private coverage, raising concern that the lag could complicate access for families who rely on public programmes.
A Health and Human Services spokesperson said the virus does not follow the same fixed seasonal pattern as influenza and other respiratory illnesses, arguing that an arbitrary September deadline should not be treated as a public health trigger for procurement. The spokesperson added that the CDC is still finalising its decisions on vaccine purchasing through the Vaccines for Children and Section 317 programmes, with more information expected soon.
The timing of the hold-up comes as the Trump administration has scaled back vaccine guidance. The CDC no longer recommends a COVID-19 shot for all children, instead advising parents to speak with their doctors, a shift from its earlier advice for everyone aged six months and older. The change follows a federal court ruling earlier this year that blocked the administration from adopting a narrower vaccine schedule, while Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has continued to press for a broader retreat from vaccine recommendations. The delay also lands amid rising vaccine hesitancy and renewed concern over measles, with the CDC warning about outbreaks and the Wall Street Journal saying fewer than 10% of children aged six months to 17 were vaccinated last year.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
