FDA limits future COVID-19 vaccine access to older adults and high-risk individuals

WASHINGTON STATE — In a new policy shift, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that future access to COVID-19 vaccines will likely be limited to older adults and individuals at risk for serious infection.

The FDA’s decision involves changing the standard of evidence required for COVID-19 vaccine approval in the U.S., aiming to narrow the list of eligible recipients for seasonal COVID shots.

The new guidelines suggest that those aged 65 and older, as well as children and younger adults with at least one high-risk health condition, will be eligible for future COVID-19 shots.

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly three out of four Americans aged six months and older have an underlying medical condition that increases their risk, including asthma, diabetes, obesity, and heart, lung, or liver issues.

Dr. Shireesha Dhanireddy, an infectious disease doctor at UW Medicine, expressed concern about the implications of the policy shift.

I want to maximize the protection of our community for infectious diseases, particularly COVID,” she said. Dr. Dhanireddy also noted, “I’m concerned about what that means for the future rise in cases and how that affects things.

With a significant portion of the population having underlying health issues, Dr. Dhanireddy advises individuals to consult with their healthcare providers to determine eligibility for future COVID vaccinations.