After more than three years of Covid vaccinations being part of our lives, the FDA is shaking things up — and it’s a pretty significant shift.
Instead of recommending Covid vaccines for almost everyone aged six months and older, the agency now says only adults over 65 and people with weakened immune systems should routinely get the shot.
This change marks a big departure from what we’ve gotten used to, and it could mean many millions of people won’t be able to get the vaccine covered by their health insurance anymore.
Why Is the FDA Changing Course?
Dr. Marty Makary, the FDA’s head, says this new approach is necessary because vaccinating all healthy people every year just isn’t showing clear benefits.
He argues that pushing vaccines so broadly has even backfired, making some people lose trust in vaccines altogether.
Makary points out that this loss of confidence isn’t just hurting Covid vaccination rates — it’s also affecting other critical vaccines, like the one for measles, which the US is now struggling with as it faces its worst outbreak in 20 years.
What the Experts Are Saying
The policy update was outlined in an editorial published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine by Dr. Makary and Dr. Vinay Prasad, the FDA’s vaccine chief.
They noted that Covid booster uptake has been low — less than a quarter of Americans have gotten their yearly shot over the past two seasons.
They wrote that this poor uptake might have a wider impact, with fewer people trusting vaccines overall, which is worrying for public health.
This new strategy also brings the US more in line with countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia, which already recommend Covid vaccines mainly for older adults and those at high risk.
What About Young Adults and Kids?
Makary and Prasad say vaccines for younger adults won’t disappear completely — but pharmaceutical companies will need to prove that these vaccines actually create strong protective antibodies in these groups before they get approval.
On the other hand, not everyone agrees with this change. Dr. Paul Offit, a respected pediatrician and member of the FDA’s vaccine advisory panel, expressed concerns.
He argues that we already have solid, evidence-based data showing the Covid vaccines are safe and effective.
He worries that waiting for “gold standard” data might delay important protections.
Public Health Experts Weigh In
Dr. Noel Brewer, who works in public health at the University of North Carolina and is part of the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee, supports the move.
He says it’s good to align the US policy with the rest of the world, calling it a “welcome development” for global public health.
What This Means for the Future
The new policy is expected to be officially announced soon and could affect who can get the updated Covid vaccine starting this fall.
It’s a reminder that the Covid pandemic isn’t quite over, but vaccination strategies are evolving as we learn more about the virus and immunity.
Whether you agree or disagree, it’s clear that managing public health and vaccination campaigns is a tricky balance — and the debate around Covid vaccines is far from settled.