The CDC’s vaccine committee (ACIP) met last week to review several vaccines, including those for measles-mumps-rubella-chickenpox (MMRV), hepatitis B, and COVID-19. They decided that COVID vaccines should still be available for everyone, but the choice should be made together with a doctor, and most insurance will still cover them.
For kids, the combined measles-mumps-rubella-chickenpox shot (MMRV) will no longer be used for the first dose, so they will need to get an MMR and a chickenpox vaccine as separate shots, or two shots at the same time instead of one shot covering all of the diseases. Other vaccines and protections remain in place.
What This Means for Families
- Vaccines are still available. You can still get COVID-19 shots, MMR, chickenpox, and Hepatitis B vaccines. Nothing has been fully taken away yet.
- Insurance should still pay. Most health insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare, will still cover the shots with no cost to you. But some smaller insurers might change in the future.
- Confusion is likely. Doctors, nurses, and clinics may be unsure about what the new rules mean. Families might hear mixed messages until things settle and may need to ask directly for the vaccines they want.
- You might need to ask. Because COVID vaccines are now made by each doctor and patient separately instead of routinely, your doctor or pharmacist may not automatically suggest it. Families who want protection should bring it up themselves.
