Members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will vote Sept. 12 on for whom the new COVID-19 vaccination will be recommended, but some critics say it should be only for older and immunocompromised populations, KFF Health News reported Sept. 11.
Some experts argue the government should recommend the shot only for frail, older, sick and immunocompromised people, but the committee is considering the recommendation for all Americans 6 months and older.
The CDC found more than 95 percent of the population are already COVID-immunized through vaccination, infection or both, and the risk of serious illness is not high. However, although many Americans want more shots, without a CDC recommendation, insurance companies will not have to pay for it. The vaccine has increased in price from $30 last year for a booster to $130. A partial recommendation could leave some vulnerable groups unable to afford the vaccine.
Despite broad recommendations for the updated COVID-19 boost shot last fall, only 17 percent of the population received it, and about 43 percent of those were older than 65. Although the shot is meant to help those with weakened immune systems, paradoxically, they are the same people who often fail to generate the ideal response to the vaccine.