CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommends Individual Decision-Making for COVID-19 Vaccination

Strategic Insights -

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended COVID-19 vaccination based on individual decision-making for all individuals six months and older. This recommendation is a result of a unanimous vote by the committee, which emphasizes the importance of shared clinical decision-making between healthcare providers and patients. The recommendation also highlights the need for vaccination among pregnant women, who should be tested for Hepatitis B, a test that is covered across all insurance programs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ACIP recommends COVID-19 vaccination based on individual decision-making for all individuals six months and older, taking into account the risk-benefit of vaccination.
  • The ACIP emphasizes the importance of shared clinical decision-making between healthcare providers and patients in determining vaccination coverage.
  • All pregnant women should be tested for Hepatitis B, a test that is covered across all insurance programs.
  • The committee recommends that toddlers through age three be immunized for varicella by standalone vaccination administered at the same time as the MMR vaccine, rather than the combination MMRV vaccine.
  • The CDC's Immunization Safety Office's presentation to ACIP showed that healthy 1-2 year olds have increased risk of febrile seizure after MMRV vaccination compared to separate immunization for varicella and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).

Statistics:

  • 6 months and older: the age group for which the ACIP recommends COVID-19 vaccination based on individual decision-making.
  • 7-10 days: the timeframe after MMRV vaccination in which healthy 1-2 year olds have increased risk of febrile seizure.
  • 2x: the increased risk of febrile seizures without conferring additional protection from varicella after MMRV vaccination compared to standalone MMR vaccination.
  • 100%: the portion of pregnant women tested for Hepatitis B, as recommended by the ACIP.

Sources:

  • Health and Human Services
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • CDC's adult and child immunization schedules
  • Vaccines for Children Program
  • Children's Health Insurance Program
  • Medicaid
  • Medicare
  • Health Insurance Marketplace