Could COVID Boosters Be Delayed This Fall Because Of The Trump Admin? Experts Weigh In.

Leaders at the FDA, HHS and elsewhere are putting guardrails around COVID-19 boosters, which could mean delayed shots or eligibility changes this fall.

Every fall since 2021, new COVID-19 shots have been available to protect folks from the latest COVID-19 strains. This is because, just like the flu, COVID-19 mutates quickly and vaccines need to be updated to ensure the season’s shot is targeting the right virus strain. This happens for both the flu shot and the COVID-19 shot, which is why new jabs are available roughly every September.

But in recent weeks, the future of the anticipated fall COVID-19 boosters has been questioned. There are rumors of a potential delay in distribution due to testing changes that many experts call unnecessary, and potential changes to the recommendations regarding who actually needs the shots. This is all part of the Trump administration’s major changes to health care infrastructure.

It’s worth knowing that COVID booster shot uptake in the U.S. has been very low, but the shots remain an important protection measure for everyone, especially for older adults and immunocompromised people who are more at risk of death or hospitalization from a COVID infection.

While the future of COVID boosters is not clear right now (so, don’t panic), experts say a delay in vaccine availability or narrowing of eligibility could be dangerous. Here’s why:

It’s unclear if the new COVID shots will be delayed, but if they are, there will be more sickness and more death.