Tell the CDC all ages need updated vaccine access
The CDC is accepting public comment on the updated COVID boosters through Friday, September 8
Make your voice heard and ask the CDC to:
Recommend updated COVID vaccines for all ages AND
Strengthen our vaccine drive by recommending more frequent boosting (at least every six months) and more frequent updates to the vaccines.
CDC’s ACIP Meeting Information (Including how to register to make an Oral Public Comment): https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/meetings/index.html
Vaccination is a mainstay of a multilayered approach to COVID, providing protection against both acute disease and Long COVID. The current annual approach is inappropriate, as COVID transmission does not show a seasonal pattern. Under the current “simplified schedule,” far too many people are left without adequate protection as vaccine efficacy wanes significantly four to six months following vaccination. A more frequent booster approach will also lower barriers in vaccination for people at high risk of severe consequences of COVID infection.
Submitted comments or registration to make oral comment at the meeting must be received by the CDC no later than September 8, 2023 11:59 p.m., EST
It’s important to submit a personalized comment, but feel free to use the points or borrow the language in our sample public comment below.
Docket No. CDC–2023–0060
Scientific evidence indicates the updated vaccines should ideally be allowed, available, and fully covered by public funds or insurance, for people of all ages at least every six months.
The vaccine schedule should address waning efficacy in the months following vaccination [1] as well as new variants. The CDC’s decision will affect everything about the current and future vaccine approach including what healthcare providers recommend, what health insurance covers, and what the public decides is needed.
Restricting vaccinations to only annual updates misses an opportunity to update vaccines on a more frequent basis as divergent variants are identified, given that there is the potential to quickly update mRNA vaccines to better match perpetually emerging variants.
The recommendation for only annual vaccination also creates barriers for vulnerable people and discourages high risk people from getting needed boosters.
The CDC must ensure equitable access to updated vaccines and prevent limited access because of financial constraints or demographics by expanding and indefinitely extending the COVID Vaccine Bridge Access Program [2].
References:
1. https://www.fda.gov/media/169536/download
CDC’s ACIP Meeting Information:
(Including how to register to make an Oral Public Comment)
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/meetings/index.html
Submit a written comment:
https://www.regulations.gov/document/CDC-2023-0060-0001
Submitted comments or registration to make oral comment at the meeting must be received by the CDC no later than September 8, 2023 11:59 p.m., EST.