Remy Sweeney-Garrett is feeling increasingly desperate about getting her daughters vaccinated against COVID-19, but so far, it hasn’t been possible for her.
“I’m really worried and frustrated,” shares Sweeney-Garrett, a 34-year-old resident of Seattle, who has a 9-year-old named Maxine and an 18-month-old named Maeve. “And honestly, I’m angry about it.”
The hold-up in getting the vaccines stems from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) not finalizing guidelines for their administration. These guidelines are crucial for the federal Vaccines for Children Program to facilitate the distribution of vaccines to health departments and clinics. Approximately half of the children in the U.S. qualify for vaccines through this program.
“My youngest daughter is particularly vulnerable to respiratory issues, so I’m concerned about her needing a hospital visit,” she adds. “It’s frustrating because it feels like this is something the government can control.”
This kind of delay from the CDC is quite unusual. Normally, they act quickly, often within days or even hours, especially with winter looming.
The delay has created a lot of uncertainty, both for the public and health providers. Dr. Susan Kansagra, chief medical officer for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, points out that there’s significant confusion regarding the situation.
Sweeney-Garrett isn’t alone in her frustration.
“Every day, parents are asking for vaccines. They want the COVID shot,” says Dr. Elias Kass, who treats Sweeney-Garrett’s family. “But we don’t have it, and we don’t even know when we will. We have a chance to prevent illness in kids, and yet we’re missing that opportunity.”
Adults looking to get vaccinated have also faced challenges due to the CDC’s delay, navigating a confusing array of state regulations that often complicate or obstruct access to vaccines. While some states have made efforts to streamline the process, others still require prescriptions, and some pharmacists are unable or unwilling to provide shots without meeting new eligibility criteria.
“It’s a complicated mess, and it’s really unnecessary,” says Dorit Reiss, a vaccine policy expert at the University of California, San Francisco. “They had the opportunity to take action, and their inaction might lead to worse public health outcomes, more COVID-19 cases, and increased harm.”
The Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the CDC, hasn’t yet responded to inquiries for comments or explanations.
This year’s rollout of COVID vaccines has already been somewhat chaotic. Until recently, anyone 6 months or older could easily get vaccinated by a pharmacist without a prescription. However, new FDA guidelines now limit approvals to high-risk individuals based on age or health status, leading to widespread confusion.
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which some believe has been filled with anti-vaccine members, has also been a source of contention. Their recent meetings included contentious discussions about recommended changes in making vaccines more accessible.
After a chaotic two-day meeting last month, the committee proposed additional requirements but also recommended measures to broaden eligibility and allow more pharmacists to administer shots for children. Yet, the CDC has not yet acted on these recommendations, leaving a lot up in the air.
“It’s a critical issue for improving access,” notes Kansagra. “It’s really a significant problem.”
With a government shutdown now in effect, it’s uncertain when the CDC might finally take action, or what their decisions will entail.
Health officials are particularly concerned about the upcoming winter respiratory season.
“We don’t know how severe it could get, but it certainly has the potential to be bad,” remarks Dr. Philip Huang, director of the Dallas Health and Human Services. “It’s incredibly frustrating. Things are getting harder instead of easier.”
