Revised U.S. Vaccination Plan Adjusted Following Remarks by RFK Jr. Regarding COVID-19 Inoculations
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its COVID-19 vaccination guidelines for children, modifying dosing recommendations based on age and previous vaccination status. The revisions do not specifically concern the CDC's overall child immunization schedule, which encompasses various vaccines.
Based on the 2024–25 vaccine recommendations, children aged 5 to 11 years who are not yet vaccinated receive a single dose of either Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech. Those who have previously received one or more doses before the 2024–25 vaccine will get a fresh dose of either Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech at least eight weeks after their last dose. For children aged 12 to 17, unvaccinated kids can opt for a single dose of Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech, or a two-dose course of Novavax. Previously vaccinated adolescents can receive additional doses depending on the vaccine type they had earlier [1].
These modifications to the COVID-19 vaccination guidelines for children mirror broader changes in vaccine recommendations. However, they do not affect the general immunization schedule for other vaccines, which continues to emphasize recommended vaccines for individuals aged 18 years or younger, periodically updated to include new developments and recommendations [2].
[1] - https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7345a3.htm[2] - https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/index.html
The updates in the COVID-19 vaccination guidelines for children align with changes in overall vaccine recommendations, with the health-and-wellness sector frequently adjusting its guidelines based on emerging science. Nevertheless, it's crucial to note that these modifications only affect guidelines specific to COVID-19 vaccines, while the Science behind the CDC's immunization schedule for other diseases continues to evolve and update independently.
