The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a significant review of its strategy for approving COVID-19 vaccines that will leave millions of people unprotected.
Under the new guidelines, only adults aged 65 and older and individuals with at least one high-risk health condition will routinely receive annual COVID-19 vaccines.
For healthier individuals, pharmaceutical companies will have to carry out extensive clinical studies before vaccines can be approved.
This new framework could limit vaccine availability to approximately 100-200 million people and has raised concerns about accessibility and insurance coverage for those who are not clearly categorized as high-risk.
The policy reflects an increasing scrutiny of COVID-19 vaccine recommendations under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has appointed critics of vaccine programs to key health roles.
The publication of the guide in a medical journal, bypassing the standard draft and public comment procedures, is considered unusual. Critics argue that the new stance undermines the advisory role of the CDC and point to evidence that booster doses can still benefit healthy individuals.
This policy change has sparked intense debate among public health experts, lawmakers, and patient advocates. While some applaud the more personalized approach, others fear it could lead to a decrease in vaccination rates and an increase in vulnerability to future outbreaks.