Advisers to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on June 27 unanimously proposed the agency recommend forthcoming COVID-19 vaccines to virtually all Americans.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted 11–0 to advise the CDC to issue a universal recommendation to Americans that every person aged 6 months and older should receive updated COVID-19 shots, which are expected to become available in September. Advisers considered a risk-based recommendation that would only say certain groups should receive one of the vaccines. Dr.
Jamie Loehr, one of the members, said before the vote that the cost-effectiveness of vaccinating young people, who are generally at little risk from COVID-19, had him leaning towards a risk-based approach. He changed his mind, though, after listening to a presentation from a CDC researcher. Dr.
Denise Jamieson, another member, said that members should not “get too caught up in cost-effectiveness currently.” She said, “If we compare it to other vaccine-preventable diseases it seems like a really good investment.” Each dose of a new shot could cost up to $130, according to estimates presented during the meeting.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials, acting on advice from their advisers, recently directed vaccine manufacturers to produce COVID-19 vaccines with updated formulations as data indicate the currently available vaccines provide short-lived protection against COVID-19 infection and hospitalization.
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