The vaccine situation in the United States has become chaotic, and it can be hard to keep up. An advisory committee voted last week to limit access to Covid vaccines and combination shots for measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. President Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. say that vaccines may be linked to autism, a claim that has been discredited by decades of scientific studies.
We know you have questions about vaccines. The Times asked what readers wanted to know — and received hundreds of queries about efficacy, safety, cost and access. Today’s newsletter brings you answers, courtesy of health and science reporters: Maggie Astor, Dani Blum, Teddy Rosenbluth, Apoorva Mandavilli, Reed Abelson and Emily Baumgaertner Nunn. See more answers about flu shots and the childhood vaccine schedule.
Are Covid shots available?
Largely, yes. On paper, anyone 6 months and older should be able to get the updated shots (which target more recent variants of the coronavirus).
In practice, though, some people may face challenges. Pharmacies in some states have been requiring prescriptions, even for those in high-risk groups; while that is likely to change if the C.D.C. adopts recent recommendations, a new provision that urges people to consult a medical professional before getting vaccinated may create barriers. Many pharmacies and doctors aren’t stocking pediatric doses. And although the C.D.C. recognizes pregnancy as a high-risk condition, it has stopped recommending vaccination during pregnancy.
What happened to the M.M.R.V. vaccine?
Parents have had two options for protecting their children against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. Option No. 1: Children get two shots — one for chickenpox, and another that covers the rest.
Option No. 2: Children get one combined shot, called the M.M.R.V. That one slightly increases the risk of fever-induced seizures in young children, which can alarm parents but do not cause lasting harm. Parents may choose this option to reduce the number of injections or clinic visits.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access.
Already a subscriber? Log in.
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The post Times Reporters Answer Your Vaccine Questions appeared first on New York Times.
