Covid-19 vaccines delayed for about half of US children as access through federal program stalls

Key Points:

• The CDC has not yet made the FDA-approved updated Covid-19 vaccines for the 2026-27 season available through the Vaccines for Children program, which covers about half of US children, causing concerns about access disparities.
• Retail pharmacies like CVS have begun receiving and administering Covid-19 vaccines for adults and children, but pediatric vaccines cost $149.99 out-of-pocket without insurance, limiting affordability for some families.
• The CDC is finalizing decisions on vaccine procurement through federal programs but notes Covid-19’s unpredictable seasonal patterns complicate timing, while Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations have been rising recently.
• The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which must recommend vaccines for federal coverage, has been inactive due to legal challenges related to committee member changes, delaying official vaccine recommendations.
• Medical organizations express concern that delays and legal disputes are hindering timely vaccine access for children, urging policymakers to remove obstacles rather than create new ones amid ongoing litigation over vaccine policy processes.