Alert: No Routine COVID Shots for Kids

On October 20, 2022, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will be meeting. One of the agenda items appears to be a vote to recommend adding COVID-19 shots to the immunization schedule for children. This is a dangerous idea that will only benefit the vaccine manufacturers at the expense of the best interests of kids and their parents.  Not only do the shots have essentially no meaningfully positive impact on children’s health, the fact that the risk of severe adverse events are greater than any potential small benefit is becoming increasingly evident. A decision by the CDC to make COVID-19 shots a routine childhood vaccination would not only ensure a steady revenue stream for manufacturers, but it would grant them continued liability protection once the public health emergency declaration ends.  In addition, many entities look to the CDC recommendations when they impose mandates, increasing the likelihood that a COVID shot could be required to attend school.