The COVID-19 vaccination is an ongoing source of confusion and controversy, especially now that the CDC has stopped recommending the vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women.
At the end of May, the CDC removed the COVID-19 vaccine from the immunization schedule for healthy children and healthy pregnant women, and instead said that the shots “may be given” to these groups of people.
However, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services stressed in a recent news release that they still recommend the vaccine for those groups.
“There is strong evidence that supports COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and for pediatric patients,” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive, said in a release. “Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that children under 6 months of age are at the highest risk for hospitalization, and that more than 40% of those hospitalized had no underlying conditions. The COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to prevent complications of infection. We urge Michigan residents to talk to their health care providers about getting vaccinated.”
The MDHHS’ guidance is in alignment with national partners, and health officials say the vaccine remains safe during pregnancy and can protect children, women and their babies after birth.
“We have reviewed the data,” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive, said in an interview. “We’ve reviewed the data in conjunction with some of our trusted national partners, like the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, like the American Academy of Pediatrics.”
Amid people’s hesitancy or lack of willingness to get vaccinated, Bagdasarian also shared some information about specific groups that should get vaccinated.
“You know, number one, I think if you are over the age of 65, if you’re in an older age group, if you have heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, if you have any of those types of risk factors, it’s really important for you to get vaccinated,” said Bagdasarian. But also, if you’re in a family where you have a family member who’s very vulnerable, it’s also a good idea to get vaccinated for them.”
The updated COVID-19 vaccines have seen a drop-off in their uptake, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control.
Last year’s winter virus season ended with only 23% of adults and 13% of kids getting an updated COVID-19 vaccine.
You can watch the full interview with Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian in the video below: