The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its guidance for the COVID-19 and varicella (chickenpox) vaccines. The CDC’s decision uses an individual-based decision-making framework, referring to vaccination decisions made through shared clinical decision-making. The framework notes that vaccination should be determined based on patient characteristics, which can make broad-based recommendations difficult to apply.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved marketing authorization for the COVID-19 vaccine to include those 65 and older and people at high risk for developing severe illness from the virus. This is in contradiction to policy in the past years, which recommended the vaccine for everyone six months and older.
The CDC also recommends updating the immunization schedule for chickenpox to be a standalone immunization rather than given in combination with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccines. This guidance is informed by evidence provided by the CDC Immunization Safety Office that states “Healthy 12–23 months old toddlers have an increased risk of febrile seizures seven to ten days after vaccination for the combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine compared to those given immunization for chickenpox separately.”
The CDC stated that this change in decision making will continue to cover immunizations through payment systems that include Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program, the Vaccines for Children Program and private insurance plans.
Members with questions regarding this webinar or vaccine policy should contact the MHA Policy team.