CDC Considers Restricting COVID Shots to Seniors Amid Growing Concerns Over Vaccine-Linked Child Deaths

Breaking News: CDC Considers Restricting COVID Shots to Seniors Amid Claims of Vaccine-Linked Child Deaths Federal health officials under the Trump administration are working with anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to link COVID-19 mRNA vaccines to the deaths of 25 children, according to sources close to the situation. This development may lead to a restriction on access to the shots, potentially limiting them to individuals aged 75 and up instead of 65 and up. Timeline: Sources claim that Trump administration health officials are using data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) to support their claims. VAERS is a system where anyone can report adverse events related to vaccinations, but these reports are unverified upon submission. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention staff follow up on serious reports to assess if they were actually caused by a vaccine. Immediate Impact: The potential restriction on COVID-19 shots could have significant implications for public health. If implemented, it would limit access to the vaccines for millions of Americans who are currently eligible. This move may also undermine trust in vaccination efforts and create confusion among healthcare providers. Background Context: Vaccine safety is continuously monitored by federal health experts using various surveillance systems, including VAERS. These systems help assess the safety of vaccines and identify potential risks. What Happens Next: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not officially announced any changes to vaccination guidelines. However, if the proposed restriction is implemented, it would require a formal update to CDC recommendations. This development highlights the ongoing debate surrounding vaccine safety and the need for clear communication from public health officials. Note: As of now, there is no official confirmation from the CDC on restricting COVID shots to seniors. This article only reports on claims made by sources close to the situation. *This story is developing. Information compiled from Arstechnica reporting.*