Last week, the CDC advisory panel discussed the vaccine schedules for influenza, pneumococcal, meningococcal, respiratory syncytial virus, rotavirus, dengue. In addition, they discussed the adult immunization schedule & the child/adolescent immunization schedule for the COVID-19 vaccines and Chikungunya vaccine.
Advisers unanimously voted to add COVID-19 vaccines to the 2023 childhood and adult immunization schedule. This creates streamlined guidance for what shots people can receive and at what age, but States and localities still have the power to decide whether to require vaccinations for school-age children. The CDC is widely expected to accept the recommendation.
Many advocacy organizations and parents, not wanting the CDC to make a recommendation to add COVID-19 vaccination to the school requirements, are concerned that Washington will side with the CDC and add it to the Washington schools’ immunization requirements.
People wrote in to try and influence the vote but were unable to stop the CDC. There is a renewed effort to contact the Washington Board of Health about this topic.
