Prime Highlights
- The FDA has authorized revised COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax, but restricted their use to seniors 65+ and individuals with underlying health conditions.
- Health experts and pediatric groups raised concerns that limiting access leaves young children, especially those under 5, without adequate safeguards.
Key Facts
- Pfizer’s vaccine is no longer cleared for children under 5, Moderna’s is restricted to infants with medical conditions, and Novavax is limited to seniors 65+ and at-risk individuals aged 12+.
- COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are rising across the US, with seniors and children under 5 showing the highest hospitalization rates.
Background
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized revised COVID-19 vaccines but limited their usage to select groups, despite the ongoing increase in cases across the country. The authorization covers adults aged 65 and above and younger people with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk. Vaccines from Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax have been updated to target newer coronavirus strains. However, the decision means healthy children and many adults will no longer have routine access.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that the goal is to ensure vaccines remain accessible to vulnerable groups. However, critics say that the move renders young children and infants as some of the most vulnerable, with no proper safeguards. The previous season’s data indicate that children below 5 years were hospitalized almost seven times more than older children.
The FDA’s move also withdraws emergency use authorizations. Pfizer’s vaccine is no longer cleared for children under 5, and Moderna’s shot is allowed only for infants with medical conditions. The Novavax vaccine is accessible for seniors 65+ and for people aged 12 or older who face health risks.
Health experts and pediatric groups have expressed concern. The American Academy of Pediatrics said limiting access could confuse parents and prevent them from protecting children. Advocacy group Protect Their Future called the decision “anti-science” and harmful to children’s safety.
As of now, the COVID-19 rates are increasing in the majority of US states. According to wastewater data, infections are almost comparable to past summer peaks, and hospitalizations are increasing. Recent data provided by the CDC show that there are, on average, 1.7 hospitalizations per 100,000 individuals, the highest in seniors and children under 5.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will determine whether to recommend the newly approved vaccines, but the agency does not suggest the routine use of vaccines on healthy children or pregnant women.
