The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has approved new rules for the updated COVID-19 vaccines. Acting CDC Director Jim O'Neill accepted the new recommendations for the shots, detailing how people must speak to healthcare professionals about the risks and safety before they get a shot. This decision is the final step needed to start the new rules. It affects who can get the vaccine and if insurance will cover it without extra costs. These updates put into effect the recent advice from the CDC's main vaccine advisory group (ACIP), which was approved last week by Acting CDC Director Jim O'Neill. The new schedules will be posted on the CDC website by October 7, 2025.Also Read: Daughter Of Kate Shemirani Passes Away From Cancer At 23, Son Says She Fell For Anti-vaxxer 'Mum's Conspiracy Theories' What Are The New Recommendations For COVID Vaccine? The most significant change is the new step called "shared decision-making." In previous years, anyone could simply walk into a pharmacy or clinic and get a shot for free. Now, the new rules say people must first talk to a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider about the risks and benefits before getting the vaccine. According to the press release, O'Neill said this means "Informed consent is back," suggesting that previous rules stopped doctors from having these talks. This rule was put in place after an unusual, unexplained two-week wait before the CDC accepted the recommendations. You and your healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, or pharmacist) must talk about your specific risks and benefits before you decide to get the vaccine. Previously CDC had given a broad recommendation for most people to get a booster shot. However with these guidelines, they will be implored to have a more in-depth conversation about the same. What Led To The Change In COVID Vaccine Guidelines? The CDC explained that after a push called Operation Warp Speed (OWS) gave initial shots to nearly 85% of adults, only 23% of adults got the most recent seasonal booster. Many people were worried about the risks versus the benefits of the boosters, especially since most people already have some immunity from the virus. Experts emphasized that for people under 65, the vaccine's benefits are highest for those at high risk for severe COVID-19 and lowest for healthy individuals with no risk factors. Importantly, this new rule does not stop insurance coverage. All major government and private insurance plans will still cover the vaccine. Have There Been Changes In Chickenpox Shots? The CDC's schedule for children now recommends that toddlers (up to age three) get their protection against chickenpox as a standalone shot, instead of using the combined MMRV vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella/chickenpox). Evidence showed that healthy toddlers aged 12–23 months who got the combined MMRV vaccine had a doubled risk of fever-related seizures (febrile seizures) about a week after the shot.Also Read: A Simple Test That Could Protect You From One Of The Deadliest Cancer According To Top US Doctor However, the CDC explained that the seizure risk is minor and temporary, but it is not higher if the chickenpox shot is given separately from the MMR shot. Getting the shots separately provides the same protection against chickenpox. This change is being made to reduce the small chance of this side effect during routine childhood vaccination. Single Shot Vaccines VS Separate Shots Following the new guidelines, Acting CDC Director O'Neill also suggested on social media that makers of the combined MMR vaccine should break it up into three separate shots for measles, mumps, and rubella. However, experts have quickly challenged this idea explaining that the combination shot has been used for decades to ensure people get all the necessary protection in one simple shot. Manufacturers also confirmed there is no scientific evidence showing a benefit to using three separate shots.
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