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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is celebrating National Immunization Awareness Month by cancelling mRNA contracts and limiting the use of COVID-19 vaccines.
The Virginia Department of Health, meanwhile, is using the month of August to remind everyone that getting immunizations protects the entire community.
Earlier today, the Food and Drug Administration approved updated COVID-19 vaccines for some people, but limited which vaccines are available at what age. The restrictions on the vaccines are the strongest since they were released in 2020 during the pandemic.
The change in guidance is creating chaos at all levels and could result in high out-of-pocket costs even for those with insurance if you don’t meet certain criterion.
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime vaccine critic, in cooperation with the BioMedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, or BARDA, has halted $500 million in contracts for mRNA vaccines developed to fight COVID-19, the flu and other respiratory viruses this month.
Kennedy also replaced all members of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisory committee, replacing the members with mostly vaccine skeptics that share his views.
The Daily Beast reported that President Donald Trump and Kennedy are considering a ban on COVID-19 vaccines “within months.”
The White House called the report “baseless speculation.”
Virginia guidance: Immunizations protect the whole community
The Central Shenandoah Health District is reminding Virginians of the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing everything from the measles to diphtheria.
While Virginia has high vaccination rates, approximately 95 percent of kindergarteners are fully vaccinated against measles, there has been a decline in children nationwide receiving immunizations, putting communities at risk again, according to the CSHD.
The CSHD recommends families talk to their healthcare provider about routine immunizations that a required for children entering kindergarten, seventh and 12th grades.
“Schools require vaccines for the benefit of our community as a whole,” said Dr. Allison Baroco, acting health director for CSHD.
“Maintaining a high vaccination rate helps keep harmful and deadly diseases from spreading through our district.”
CSHD also recommends adults stay up to date on vaccines based on factors including age and health.
According to a dashboard tracking respiratory diseases in Virginia, 9.3 percent of emergency room visits last week were for respiratory illnesses, with the highest numbers testing positive for COVID. Overall, respiratory illness activity is trending up, according to the dashboard.
For more information on immunizations, call VDH at (877) VAX-IN-VA.
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Crystal Graham
