In an August 8 email, federal health officials reportedly indicated that the FDA may not renew authorization for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for healthy children under 5 years old. The news fueled new concerns about COVID-19 vaccine access due to unclear eligibility guidelines and uncertainty about health insurance coverage of the updated vaccine. Some public health figures and social media users encouraged people to get COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible, before eligibility changes. But an August 1 KFF survey suggests nearly 60 percent of Americans don’t plan to get a COVID-19 vaccine this fall. While some social media users argued that the public no longer trusts COVID-19 vaccines, others noted that people may be confused about their eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines due to changing guidelines.
Recommendation
Uncertainty about who can get COVID-19 vaccines and if they will be covered by insurance may cause people to skip vaccination for themselves and their children. Health communicators may continue to emphasize that vaccination remains the best protection against severe illness, hospitalization, long COVID, and death. Messaging may explain that, while those at high risk benefit most from COVID-19 vaccination, the vaccine protects people of all ages, including healthy children. Talking points may highlight that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends COVID-19 vaccination for children 6 to 23 months, and for children over 2 years who are at high risk of severe illness.
Fact-checking sources: Very Well Health, AAP
