COVID shots now on CDC list of routine vaccines for kids, adults. What does that mean?

Julia Marnin
Craig Ruttle/AP

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a new list of routine vaccines for children and adults now that it’s already more than a month into the new year.

While COVID-19 shots weren’t on the agency’s list last year, the vaccines, including updated booster doses, are now added to the CDC’s 2023 routine immunization schedule for eligible children and adults.

The shots listed by the CDC are the agency’s current recommendations for vaccinations for varying age groups. This means the CDC encourages getting them, but the agency isn’t mandating the shots.

According to the list, everyone ages 6 months and older who is eligible for a vaccine is advised to get a COVID-19 vaccine primary series and a booster dose.

New recommendations also include updated guidance for flu and pneumococcal vaccines and a new vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella, according to the CDC.

For children and teens under age 19, the new immunization schedule was approved by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices during a meeting in October, according to the agency.

“Immunizations are among the most cost-effective and successful way to keep ourselves, our families, and our communities healthy,” the American Academy of Family Physicians President Dr. Tochi Iroku-Malize told McClatchy News in a statement on Feb. 10

COVID-19 vaccines work well to prevent severe outcomes from a COVID-19 infection, Iroku-Malize said.

“Public health experts have seen some reduced protection after initial vaccination, especially among certain populations, against mild and moderate disease,” Iroku-Malize added, and said this is why it’s important to get the COVID-19 vaccine as a routine shot.

The AAFP reviews all recommendations made by the CDC’s ACIP and supports adding COVID-19 shots to the new immunization schedule, according to Iroku-Malize.

The updated lists of routine vaccines comes as nearly 70% of people in the U.S. have already completed their primary COVID-19 vaccine series, CDC data shows as of Feb. 9. Meanwhile, nearly 16% have gotten an updated bivalent booster dose.

More on the routine COVID-19 vaccine recommendations

For a primary COVID-19 vaccine series, the CDC recommends getting either an mRNA shot made by Pfizer or Moderna, or the Novavax shot, which is considered a protein subunit vaccine, for anyone 12 or older.

The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is only allowed for use under certain situations in people 18 and older because of safety concerns, according to the CDC. The concerns include the risk of a condition that can cause rare blood clots, according to the CDC.

Immunocompromised individuals are also advised to consider available monoclonal antibodies in addition to COVID-19 vaccines, the CDC says.

By adding COVID-19 vaccines to the CDC’s list of routine shots, “this means COVID-19 vaccine is now presented as any other routinely recommended vaccine and is no longer presented in a special ‘call out’ box as in previous years,” Dr. Neil Murthy and Dr. A. Patricia Wodi, who wrote the CDC report announcing the changes, told CNN.

“This, in a sense, helps ‘normalize’ this vaccine and sends a powerful message to both healthcare providers and the general public that everyone ages 6 months and older should stay up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccines (including a booster, when eligible), just as they would with any other routinely recommended vaccine,” they added.

In regards to COVID-19 booster doses, Iroku-Malize advises that everyone eligible should get one to improve protection against COVID-19. For anyone with questions or concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine, or vaccines in general, she suggests consulting with a family physician.

There are some situations in which the CDC advises being cautious when considering getting a certain COVID-19 vaccine. Some situations outlined by the agency include:

  • History of having a bad allergic reaction to a particular COVID-19 vaccine

  • History of a being allergic to a component of a certain COVID-19 vaccine

  • History of having anaphylaxis after getting a vaccine other than a COVID-19 shot

  • History of multi inflammatory syndrome in children or adults

  • History of heart conditions myocarditis or pericarditis after getting one dose of the Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax vaccine.

When it comes to updating recommended vaccines for children, the CDC made it clear in October that while states can choose which vaccines to require for children to attend school, the CDC’s guidance cannot, McClatchy News previously reported. It’s up to states to decide if they want to require COVID-19 vaccination for schoolchildren.

Currently in the U.S., COVID-19 cases are low overall.

Most people in the U.S., about 76%, live in an area where COVID-19 cases are considered low as of Feb. 10, according to the CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels. Just 2% of the country lives where COVID-19 cases are considered high, including parts of northern Florida and southern New Jersey.

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