If you want a COVID shot, it can be frustrating to try to get one right now.
A: Yes, the COVID vaccine has been approved for children — but this year it’s only for those with risk factors for serious complications.
And no vaccine has been approved for younger children, such as newborn babies, even though very young children are among those most vulnerable to getting seriously ill from COVID.
The vaccine manufacturers say they are producing plenty of vaccine, so supply shouldn’t be an issue even with the narrower FDA approvals.
The CDC’s advisory committee is meeting soon about the COVID shots — will that make it easier or harder to get a shot?
Trying to get a COVID shot at this time can be frustrating.
This is because the Food and Drug Administration has limited who is eligible to receive this year’s vaccinations: individuals 65 and older, as well as those who are at a high risk of becoming seriously ill from the virus. This marks a significant change from previous years’ policies, when the vaccines were authorized for use in people aged six months and up.
Most younger, otherwise healthy people have so much immunity that they don’t necessarily need yearly booster shots anymore, according to Trump administration health officials. But according to a number of medical associations, getting one is a smart idea in order to prevent serious illness or the spread of the disease to other potentially vulnerable people.
As a result, you might need to put in more effort to get a shot. You could simply ask for one at a pharmacy in the past. Now, though, if you don’t fit those requirements, you could be rejected.
What you need to know about getting a shot now is as follows.
1. What are my options if the pharmacist tells me I’m not eligible?
Yes, A. You might be able to “self-attest” that you qualify if you possess one of the risk factors. This essentially entails mentioning your risk factor to the pharmacist or mentioning it when making an appointment for a vaccination. Documentation is frequently not needed.
Currently, some pharmacies may state that you must obtain a prescription for a shot from a physician. Following the release of specific guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding who should receive vaccinations, that requirement might be removed in some states. September is when the CDC advisory committee that issues those recommendations is expected to convene. 18—19.
Q. What circumstances might qualify me and how can I determine if I am at risk?
A list of risk factors for the general public and healthcare providers can be found here, according to the CDC. They comprise members of racial or ethnic minorities, those 65 and older, and those with disabilities. There is also a long list of conditions, such as them.
asthma.
Cancer. .
brain-vascular illness.
kidney disease that is chronic.
lung disease that is chronic.
persistent liver disease.
cystic fibrosis.
Types of diabetes.
disabilities. .
heart conditions.
HIV.
Mental health issues, such as depression.
Parkinson’s disease and dementia are examples of neurologic disorders.
being overweight.
lack of physical activity.
fundamental immunodeficiencies.
smoking, even after you’ve stopped.
transplantation of solid organs or blood stem cells.
Asthma.
use of immunosuppressive drugs, such as corticosteroids.
According to FDA estimates, 100 million to 200 million Americans would be eligible.
1. Can I get pregnant?
A: Although the CDC agency no longer recommends routine vaccinations for pregnant women, pregnancy is still listed as a risk factor. The disparity is creating some misunderstanding regarding whether insurers will cover vaccination costs and if pharmacists can give the shots. The vaccination is advised during pregnancy by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
1. Can kids get it? What about them?
A: The children’s COVID vaccine has been approved, but only for those who have risk factors for serious complications this year. Additionally, only one vaccine—that of Moderna—has been authorized for use in infants as young as six months for the first time. For kids aged five and up, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is authorized. Children as young as 12 years old can now receive the Novavax vaccine.
For parents who wish to vaccinate otherwise healthy children, a prescription may be required. Even though very young children are among the groups most at risk of developing a serious COVID-19 illness, no vaccine has been approved for use in younger children, such as newborns. Doctors advise pregnant women to get vaccinated for this reason, among others, in order to provide protective antibodies to unborn children.
1. Where can I find the injections since some pharmacies don’t seem to carry them?
A lot of pharmacies, doctors’ offices, clinics, and hospitals have begun to stock this year’s vaccines; however, some may not have received their orders yet, but they should shortly. Even with the limited FDA approvals, the vaccine manufacturers claim that they are producing an adequate amount of vaccine, so supply shouldn’t be a problem.
However, if they don’t think there will be enough demand, some doctors who previously stocked the vaccine might pass this time. This implies that you might have to get a shot at a pharmacy.
Vaccines and appointment scheduling are available on the websites of pharmacy chains such as CVS and Walgreens. Vaccine-finder websites were launched by Moderna and Pfizer.
1. Does my insurance cover the cost of the shots even if I find a pharmacy that carries them?
A: It’s not clear. Insurance companies are only obligated to cover the cost of the vaccinations if the CDC recommends them. At the latest, that won’t take place until next week. However, some insurance providers claim to cover the vaccinations regardless, so it’s a good idea to find out if your plan does.
roughly 50% of kids in the U.S. S. The COVID vaccinations will not be covered by the federal government’s Vaccines for Children Program until the CDC recommendations take effect, and even then, it may depend on the child’s health.
The cost of the injections ranges from $150 to $200 for those who must pay cash.
Q. Will getting a COVID vaccination be made easier or more difficult by the CDC’s advisory committee meeting on the topic soon?
