COVID Vaccine Access Now Varies from State to State. Here’s What to No.
Washington, D.C. – Access to COVID-19 vaccines is becoming increasingly fragmented across the United States, as state policies diverge and the future direction of national health recommendations remains uncertain under the Biden administration. The shifting landscape is raising concerns among public health experts about potential declines in vaccination rates and a resurgence of preventable diseases.
The changes come as the Advisory committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is expected to issue new recommendations this week regarding the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV), hepatitis B, and COVID vaccines. News reports indicate the panel is reviewing an unverified report linking the deaths of 25 children to the COVID vaccines and will also examine the vaccines’ safety during pregnancy. According to an email from CDC spokesperson, Nixon, “FDA and CDC staff routinely analyze [Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System] and other safety monitoring data, and those reviews are being shared publicly through the established ACIP process. Until that is shared publicly, any of this should be considered pure speculation.”
The outcomes of the ACIP votes could lead to disagreements between the Department of Health and Human services (HHS), led by Secretary robert F. Kennedy jr., and state governors on vaccination policies extending beyond COVID-19.
This divergence in guidance is already creating challenges for individuals seeking vaccinations. Insurance coverage can vary substantially depending on the state, and travelers crossing state lines should verify coverage with both their insurance provider and the pharmacy in their destination state.
Infectious disease epidemiologist Jessica Malaty rivera expressed anxiety about the upcoming ACIP meeting. “I hate to speculate, but I fully expect ACIP and [acting CDC director] O’Neill to endorse the decisions RFK, Jr., and the FDA have already set in motion,” she says. “I also anticipate a terrible decision on the hepatitis B birth dose and possibly [on] MMRV.”
Public health officials warn that a “patchwork of vaccination coverage” could have serious consequences. Unvaccinated or undervaccinated communities increase the risk of outbreaks of diseases like measles, flu, and other illnesses that where previously well-controlled. As explained by Morgan, “A patchwork of vaccination coverage risks undermining national public health goals. When recommendations and access vary widely by state, it can leave gaps in protection and create confusion among patients-which ultimately reduces overall vaccination rates.”
Recent outbreaks of measles demonstrate the vulnerability of communities with declining vaccination rates, and experts caution that other eliminated diseases could also make a comeback if vaccination levels continue to fall.Policies promoting consistent vaccination coverage are considered crucial for preventing localized vulnerabilities and safeguarding public health.
