On Wednesday, the FDA approved a new round of COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax for seniors aged 65 and older. The approval for younger individuals is limited to those who have at least one underlying condition that increases their risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19. Additionally, the FDA has revoked emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine for children under 5 years of age.
Reports indicate that Monarez faced persistent inquiries from Kennedy regarding potential changes to the FDA’s policies. It has been noted that at least three senior CDC officials, including Demetre Daskalakis and Debra Houry, have announced their plans to resign.
Kennedy stated in a tweet that the recent FDA actions aim to ensure vaccine availability for those who desire it, particularly the vulnerable population. However, these changes could necessitate that millions of Americans demonstrate that they are at risk, which may create additional barriers to vaccination.
Further implications of these FDA decisions might affect access at pharmacy locations, as state laws in some regions require a CDC recommendation for pharmacy personnel to administer vaccines. Additionally, Kennedy’s recent dismissal of 17 members from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), responsible for vaccine recommendations, has been highlighted in prior reporting.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/767208/fda-covid-vaccine-approval-rfk-cdc-director-susan-monarez