Turning its back on the CDC, the Washington State Department of Health is recommending that everyone six months and older stay up-to-date on the COVID-19 vaccine.
OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) made its own official recommendation that everyone 6 months and older get the COVID-19 vaccine.
This recommendation is majorly expanded from what the U.S. Food and Drug Administration handed down in late August, which restricted vaccine access to those 65 and older, or anyone 6 months and older with a condition that puts them at particular risk from the virus.
This is the DOH’s first recommendation since Washington, Oregon, and California joined forces to issue their own vaccine recommendations, citing “recent federal actions that undermine the independence of the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] CDC.”
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, an outspoken vaccine skeptic, swept the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) earlier this summer and replaced all members with his own appointees who hold similarly critical views on vaccination. ACIP is expected to meet in mid-September to issue its official recommendation as to who should get the COVID vaccine, and vaccines for hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
States have historically aligned with the CDC’s recommendation, but now many are following the West Coast’s example by forming their own advisory bodies. The West Coast Health Alliance, which now includes Hawaii, is instead taking its guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Some states are striking out on their own. New York’s Gov. Kathy Hochul announced plans to sign an executive order granting vaccine access to nearly anyone who wants it.
Potential for limited vaccine supply in September
Washington’s Department of Health warned that appointments to get the COVID-19 vaccine may be limited because some providers are still waiting to receive their supplies of the updated vaccine.
The DOH’s Childhood and Adult Vaccine programs are not currently available and may not be accessible until late September or October.
“DOH urges everyone to remain patient and vigilant in staying up to date on vaccinations,” the agency wrote in a release.
The department said the vaccine remains covered by most private insurers, by Apple Health (Washington’s Medicaid program,) and Washington’s Adult Vaccine and Childhood Vaccine programs, when they become available for the year.
