CDC Panel Limits COVID-19 Vaccine to High-Risk Groups

Lead An advisory committee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention voted on September 19 to restrict eligibility for this season’s COVID-19 vaccine to adults aged 65 and older and individuals with underlying health conditions.

Nut Graf The decision, driven by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), marks a shift from universal recommendations to a risk-based approach aimed at targeting those most vulnerable to severe outcomes amid evolving pandemic priorities.

Eligibility Changes

  • Adults 65 and over: advised to receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine as a routine measure
  • Individuals with underlying conditions: encouraged to get vaccinated based on clinical risk factors such as asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes
  • Others under 65: advised to consult healthcare providers and may receive the vaccine through shared decision-making, rather than blanket endorsement

Next Steps The panel’s recommendation now awaits approval from acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill before becoming official policy. Major pharmacy chains, including CVS and Walgreens, have paused widespread administration pending formal guidance, potentially affecting two-thirds of vaccine recipients who obtained shots at pharmacies last year.

Policy Implications

  • Prescription debate: ACIP dismissed a proposal to require prescriptions, citing concerns about access barriers.
  • Insurer coverage: Federal entitlement programs and major insurers have pledged to maintain vaccine coverage through 2026, regardless of recommendation status.
  • State responses: Several states are drafting their own guidance to ensure access to respiratory vaccines amid federal shifts.

Background The move follows the FDA’s August approval of COVID-19 boosters limited to those aged 65 and older or with specified health risks. ACIP’s vote also considered broader reshaping of CDC vaccine policy under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who reconstituted the advisory committee earlier this year.

Public Health Context Since October 2024, COVID-19 has caused hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths, predominantly among older adults. Experts warn that narrowing vaccine recommendations could increase risks unless high coverage is maintained in priority groups.