Iowa City, Iowa – The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are exploring the possibility of recommending annual Covid-19 vaccinations for older individuals or those with compromised immune systems, rather than the current across-the-board suggestion for all individuals over the age of 6 months.
This potential shift would bring the United States in line with several other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, who already recommend annual Covid-19 vaccines only for older adults and those with weakened immune systems. The World Health Organization also does not routinely advocate for yearly Covid-19 vaccinations for healthy adults under 65 or healthy children.
A panel of independent experts advising the CDC’s vaccination recommendations, known as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, met on Tuesday to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of transitioning from a universal recommendation for annual Covid-19 shots to a more nuanced, risk-based recommendation.
The Covid-19 vaccine workgroup began evaluating this potential policy change back in November, proposing that older adults over 65 and individuals with weakened immune systems continue to receive two doses of Covid-19 vaccines each year under a risk-based recommendation.
Moreover, the CDC may also consider recommending annual vaccination for adults and children at high risk of severe Covid-19 illness due to heightened exposure risks, such as healthcare workers or children in daycare settings.
If implemented, a risk-based recommendation would be more complex to convey to the public and potentially more challenging to execute compared to a universal recommendation. Concerns were raised within the committee about potential difficulties in implementing a risk-based approach in the United States.