Vaccine Guideline Review: Concerns and Changes in Colorado

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is convening to discuss vaccine guidelines, sparking uncertainty among healthcare providers and families. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s remaking of the agency, including the appointment of vaccine skeptics, has raised concerns about the future of vaccine recommendations. Colorado has taken proactive steps to ensure vaccine access by considering recommendations from other medical groups and issuing standing orders allowing pharmacists to administer COVID-19 vaccines without individual prescriptions. The potential changes to childhood vaccine recommendations, like delaying the hepatitis B vaccine, are particularly concerning to pediatricians due to potential gaps in screening and the risk of adverse outcomes for children. Measles cases are surging in the U.S. and Colorado, so restricting access to measles and chickenpox vaccines could be disastrous.

Availability may vary based on ACIP recommendations. Check with your local pharmacy or doctor’s office.

Access to COVID-19 vaccines for children may be limited due to delays in federal vaccine program delivery. Contact your pediatrician.

Potential changes to recommendations for vaccines like hepatitis B and MMRV are under review.

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