{"id":21636,"date":"2025-05-31T01:11:21","date_gmt":"2025-05-31T06:11:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/?p=21636"},"modified":"2025-05-31T01:11:21","modified_gmt":"2025-05-31T06:11:21","slug":"will-you-be-able-to-get-a-covid-19-shot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/2025\/05\/31\/will-you-be-able-to-get-a-covid-19-shot\/","title":{"rendered":"Will You Be Able to Get a COVID-19 Shot?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction to COVID-19 Vaccination<\/h2>\n

Want a COVID-19 vaccination this fall? For many Americans, it\u2019s not clear how easy it will be to get one. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was a longtime anti-vaccine activist, said this week that the shots are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women, usurping a decision normally made by scientific experts, not political appointees.<\/p>\n

Recent Changes in Recommendations<\/h2>\n

Days later, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said healthy children and pregnant women \u201cmay\u201d get COVID-19 vaccinations, removing stronger language that those groups \u201cshould\u201d get the shots. The change follows an earlier Trump administration step to limit COVID-19 vaccinations among healthy people under age 65. Until now, the U.S. \u2014 following guidance from independent experts who advise the CDC \u2014 has recommended yearly COVID-19 vaccinations for everyone age 6 months and older.<\/p>\n

Impact on Health Experts and Insurers<\/h2>\n

Together, the moves have left health experts, vaccine makers and insurers uncertain about what to advise and what comes next. \u201cIt\u2019s going to add a lot of confusion overall,\u201d said Ajay Sethi, an epidemiologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.<\/p>\n

How to Get a COVID-19 Shot<\/h3>\n

Some of this season\u2019s vaccine is still available. Insurance industry experts say if people had insurance coverage before Kennedy\u2019s announcement, it\u2019s highly unlikely that would have ended instantly based on the secretary\u2019s video announcement. That means if someone could find a shot, they\u2019d likely be able to get one for now.<\/p>\n

Future Availability of COVID-19 Shots<\/h3>\n

Who will be able to get what vaccines this fall is still unclear. Vaccine manufacturers plan to issue updated COVID-19 shots in the late summer or fall. But the Food and Drug Administration has said it plans to limit approval of seasonal shots to seniors and others at high risk, pending more studies of everyone else.<\/p>\n

Insurance Coverage<\/h3>\n

Insurers base coverage decisions on the recommendations of that CDC panel, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. It\u2019s not clear what role that panel now will play. Paying out of pocket could cost about $200. The CDC says its new language for healthy kids and pregnant women \u2014 known as shared decision-making \u2014 means health insurers must pay for the vaccinations. Some insurers and employers may decide to still cover the shots no matter what, said Jen Kates, a senior vice president at the nonprofit KFF, which studies health care issues.<\/p>\n

Determining Increased Risk<\/h3>\n

The FDA published a list of health conditions it said would qualify, including asthma, cancer, diabetes, obesity and physical inactivity. The CDC has a more extensive list. But, again, it isn\u2019t yet known how this will play out. For example, it could be hard for people to prove they\u2019re qualified. If they\u2019re vaccinated at a drugstore, for instance, the pharmacist wouldn\u2019t normally know about underlying health problems or even ask.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The recent changes in COVID-19 vaccination recommendations have created confusion among health experts, vaccine makers, and insurers. While some vaccine is still available, the future availability and insurance coverage of COVID-19 shots are uncertain. It is essential to stay informed and follow the latest updates from reputable sources to make informed decisions about COVID-19 vaccination.<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n