Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #112

[BetteDavisEyes]

Whitmer takes steps to ensure access to COVID-19 vaccines in Michigan

She signed an executive directive Wednesday.

www.detroitnews.com

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive Wednesday instructing state agencies to identify and remove any barriers to accessing COVID-19 vaccines amid national concerns about who will be able to get a shot this fall, the state said.

In late August, the Food and Drug Administration approved updated COVID-19 shots but narrowed their use for adults under 65 years old and children to those with at least one high-risk health condition, such as asthma or obesity.

At least 14 states have already announced policies to ease access to the vaccine. On Wednesday, Whitmer took her own action...

 

[Gemmie]

Whitmer takes steps to ensure access to COVID-19 vaccines in Michigan

She signed an executive directive Wednesday.

www.detroitnews.com

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive Wednesday instructing state agencies to identify and remove any barriers to accessing COVID-19 vaccines amid national concerns about who will be able to get a shot this fall, the state said.

In late August, the Food and Drug Administration approved updated COVID-19 shots but narrowed their use for adults under 65 years old and children to those with at least one high-risk health condition, such as asthma or obesity.

At least 14 states have already announced policies to ease access to the vaccine. On Wednesday, Whitmer took her own action...

I can't believe Oregon, of all places, hasn't stepped up to the plate and done the same.

 

[Inthedetails]

I can't believe Oregon, of all places, hasn't stepped up to the plate and done the same.

I'm thinking many states are waiting to see the final decision from the advisory panel before taking their own action. The panel is meeting tomorrow and Friday, iirc.

Just my guess.


jmopinion

 

[Gemmie]

I'm thinking many states are waiting to see the final decision from the advisory panel before taking their own action. The panel is meeting tomorrow and Friday, iirc.

Just my guess.


jmopinion

I totally agree and have stated such several times here. But I'm still surprised that Oregon, of all places, isn't simply "doing the right thing" (IMO) and doing what other states are doing and freeing it up some for at least those over 65 and those at high risk.

What a mess we're in. This is really not good. JMO!

 

[Inthedetails]

I totally agree and have stated such several times here. But I'm still surprised that Oregon, of all places, isn't simply "doing the right thing" (IMO) and doing what other states are doing and freeing it up some for at least those over 65 and those at high risk.

What a mess we're in. This is really not good. JMO!

I agree with all of that.

jmo

 

[gremlin444]

https://www.ahip.org/news/press-releases/ahip-statement-on-vaccine-coverage

(AHIP is the national trade association representing the health insurance industry)

“Health plans will continue to cover all ACIP-recommended immunizations that were recommended as of September 1, 2025, including updated formulations of the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, with no cost-sharing for patients through the end of 2026.

 

[Gemmie]

We (Oregon) did it! FINALLY! @Lilibet

I LOVE my timing! I walked into the living room to turn the TV off so I could concentrate on something, and the newscaster was saying that WA/OR/Hi/CA OK'ed the vaccine! So I Googled for it.

The Democratic governors of Oregon, Washington, California and Hawaii released a set of immunization guidelines for their states on Wednesday.
The guidelines recommend broad access to the COVID-19 vaccine for everyone over 6 months of age, stating that the shot should be available to “all who choose protection.”

These recommendations come as part of the newly formed Western States Health Alliance, which was created after state leaders said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had been compromised by politics.

https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/PREVENTIONWELLNESS/VACCINESIMMUNIZATION/GETTINGIMMUNIZED/Documents/2025-26-Respiratory-Virus-Vaccine-Recommendations-2-pager.pdf

 

[Auntie Cipation]

I asked both my local pharmacies if they had the new covid vax available on Tuesday. One said it had been ordered but was still waiting for it to arrive, the other said it had arrived but was only taking appointments, not walk-ins.

Their next appointment was this morning at 10am so I grabbed that slot and got my shot! Phew!

I was pretty confident that California would make sure it was available, but I didn't want to deal with any delay that might arise if RFK Jr and his ACIP throw a legal wrench into the works tomorrow and Friday.

No one here takes any precautions anymore, so even though it's a very low population density area, and I'm a hermit besides, I do assume that anyone who has it will probably still be out and about coughing on the rest of us.

I still mask and I know that probably matters more (for me personally) than getting the vax, but I feel better knowing I'm covering all bases.

Edit: I asked on Tuesday, not Monday.

 

[Gemmie]

I asked both my local pharmacies if they had the new covid vax available on Monday. One said it had been ordered but was still waiting for it to arrive, the other said it had arrived but was only taking appointments, not walk-ins.

Their next appointment was this morning at 10am so I grabbed that slot and got my shot! Phew!

I was pretty confident that California would make sure it was available, but I didn't want to deal with any delay that might arise if RFK Jr and his ACIP throw a legal wrench into the works tomorrow and Friday.

No one here takes any precautions anymore, so even though it's a very low population density area, and I'm a hermit besides, I do assume that anyone who has it will probably still be out and about coughing on the rest of us.

I still mask and I know that probably matters more (for me personally) than getting the vax, but I feel better knowing I'm covering all bases.

Which new vax did you get? mNEXSPIKE (for those 65 and over or at high risk), or the 2025/2026 formula for the general public? Note that mNEXSPIKE is for 2025/2026 too. That's the one I want and having a hard time finding it.

 

[Auntie Cipation]

Which new vax did you get? mNEXSPIKE (for those 65 and over or at high risk), or the 2025/2026 formula for the general public? Note that mNEXSPIKE is for 2025/2026 too. That's the one I want and having a hard time finding it.

It was Moderna SpikeVax. They said it was the only formulation they had. I assumed it was the one officially issued for those 65 and over but they had my DOB to see I'm not 65 and they didn't even ask me to affirm I was high risk.

The notation says "Rx only" so they apparently prescribed it for me on the spot...

 

[Gemmie]

It was Moderna SpikeVax. They said it was the only formulation they had. I assumed it was the one officially issued for those 65 and over but they had my DOB to see I'm not 65 and they didn't even ask me to affirm I was high risk.

The notation says "Rx only" so they apparently prescribed it for me on the spot...

View attachment 615095

Thanks! That's their regular formula for anyone. I'm really hoping to find the mNEXSPIKE vaccine of theirs.

 

[Teche]

I believe Costco has the Moderna mNEXSPIKE for the 65+. My dr. sent an escript because my state LA requires it.

 

[Warwick1991]

Thanks! That's their regular formula for anyone. I'm really hoping to find the mNEXSPIKE vaccine of theirs.

In my area, Florida, CVS is carrying mNEXSPIKE. If you have CVS near you, perhaps they have it.

 

[Gemmie]

A new major report published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology suggests repeat COVID-19 vaccination may be necessary to mitigate the cardiovascular risk associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The authors represent experts from across Europe, and said they authored the report to make concrete recommendations for prevention, rehabilitation, and long-term care for cardiovascular patients because both acute COVID-19 infection and long COVID have serious effects on the heart and blood vessels.

"As the initial public health messaging largely focused on pulmonary complications of COVID 19, many people with COVID-19 may not be aware of the increased cardiovascular risks associated to the disease," the authors wrote.

With more than 1 billion global COVID-19 infections reported in the past 5 years, the authors said there was a need for clear clinical guidance on cardiovascular disease, including myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), myocardial infarction (heart attack), heart failure, and thromboembolism (blockage caused by a blood clot) in an artery or vein.

More at the link: Report: Cardiac risks must be considered when treating COVID-19

 

[sds71]

Ahead of the vote, Dr. Cody Meissner said he was "strongly opposed" to a prescription requirement.

ACIP member and epidemiologist Catherine M. Stein, who has previously been openly critical of the U.S. response to COVID-19, also raised concerns.

"I believe the segment of the population that is underinsured has lack of access to health care, they're going to be unable to get a prescription, and those are the people that are at highest risk for a lot of these comorbid conditions," she said.

CDC advisory panel votes against recommending prescription for COVID-19 vaccine

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, with members appointed by RFK Jr., met to discuss and vote on COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[sds71]

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s new vaccine advisers added confusion Friday to this fall’s COVID-19 vaccinations — declining to recommend them for anyone and leaving the choice up to those who want a shot.

Until now, the vaccinations had been routinely provided to nearly all Americans who wanted them. The Food and Drug Administration recently put new restrictions on this year’s shots from Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax, reserving them for people over 65 or younger ones who are deemed at higher risk from the virus.

In a series of votes, advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention didn’t specifically recommend vaccination but said people could make individual decisions.

The panel also urged the CDC to adopt stronger language around the supposed risks of vaccination, an idea that received pushback from outside medical groups who said the shots had a proven safety record.

Kennedy’s vaccine advisers decline to recommend COVID-19 shot for all Americans - WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale

LANTA (AP) — Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s new vaccine advisers added confusion Friday to this fall’s COVID-19 vaccinations — declining to recommend them<a class="excerpt-read-more"...

wsvn.com

 

[dmac55]

Federal vaccine panel remade by RFK Jr. votes to maintain insurance coverage for Covid shots

The panel's decision would preserve broad insurance coverage for Covid-19 shots, even though some panelists questioned their benefits and safety.

www.statnews.com

 

[Inthedetails]

Ahead of the vote, Dr. Cody Meissner said he was "strongly opposed" to a prescription requirement.

ACIP member and epidemiologist Catherine M. Stein, who has previously been openly critical of the U.S. response to COVID-19, also raised concerns.

"I believe the segment of the population that is underinsured has lack of access to health care, they're going to be unable to get a prescription, and those are the people that are at highest risk for a lot of these comorbid conditions," she said.

CDC advisory panel votes against recommending prescription for COVID-19 vaccine

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, with members appointed by RFK Jr., met to discuss and vote on COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.

www.cbsnews.com

No only underinsured, but also busy people who are working, have kids, etc. Now instead of one quick visit to the drug store when convenient, people have to make an appointment with a doctor during doctor hours. And the docs will "grant" the vaccine requests in all likelihood. imo

Doctors have important work to do - and so does everyone else! But the committee voted to make access cumbersome for no reason. imo

Good job, committee. You did as little as possible to care for the well-being of the nation. imo

jmopinion.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

CDC panel votes to limit who is eligible for this fall's Covid vaccine

Only people 65 and over or with underlying health conditions should get the shots, the advisory group recommended. There may be insurance roadblocks for others.

www.nbcnews.com

Healthy kids and adults looking for an updated Covid shot this fall may have a tougher time getting it.

On Friday, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel unanimously recommended limiting the Covid shot to people 65 and older or those with underlying health conditions, based on an individual decision or with their doctor. The panel rejected a separate recommendation that the agency should encourage states to require a prescription.

People under 65 are advised to consult with their doctor, the panel said, with “an emphasis that the risk-benefit of vaccination is most favorable for individuals who are at an increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease.”

The recommendation — if cleared by acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill — narrows the agency’s earlier stance, which called for the shot to be offered to everyone 6 months and older...

 

[Gemmie]

In my area, Florida, CVS is carrying mNEXSPIKE. If you have CVS near you, perhaps they have it.

Thanks, @Warwick1991! My local CVS is brand new and still stocking the shelves as we speak. They think they are getting Pfizer and they only go with one brand, not carry multiple.

I let my feet do the walking (A play on letting your fingers do the walking through the yellow pages and making phone calls). I drove around town and went in to speak directly to staff. I found it at Walmart and a local pharmacy. I'll be getting it from the local pharmacy when I can make an appt. They only make enough appts for the amount in stock. I have to wait till next week to call back to see if they got it in, and then they'll make an appt with me.

It's interesting to see what they are stocking. Some it's only Pfizer, some Moderna, but only Spikevax, and others carry multiple brands AND both Spikevax and mNEXSPIKE.

Getting there! Hope to at least make an appt next week! I feel SO much relief after this whole mess. And boy was it a mess. I don't need to tell you guys!