A new, highly transmissible COVID-19 subvariant has recently emerged in California, raising concerns about a potential summer wave of infections. This development coincides with recent actions by the Trump administration that could make access to COVID vaccines more challenging and costly for many Americans, according to health experts. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the immediate rescission of the federal government’s recommendation for pregnant women and healthy children to receive vaccinations against COVID-19.
Dr. Marty Makary, a commissioner at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), indicated that the agency will no longer routinely approve annually formulated COVID-19 vaccinations for healthy individuals under the age of 65. “We simply don’t know whether a healthy 52-year-old woman with a normal BMI who has had COVID-19 three times and has received six previous doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will benefit from the seventh dose,” Makary stated in a recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine. He emphasized the need for evidence generation regarding vaccine efficacy.
However, experts caution that the push for more extensive testing could delay vaccine access for many individuals, potentially extending beyond the upcoming winter flu and COVID season. Dr. Sean O’Leary, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Infectious Diseases, highlighted that pregnant women, infants, and young children are at a higher risk of hospitalization from COVID-19, and the safety of the COVID vaccine has been well established.
The recent federal changes could lead private insurance companies and government insurers to cease coverage for COVID shots for significant segments of the population, including infants and children. Without a federal recommendation, Americans might find themselves responsible for the entire cost of a vaccine, which is priced at approximately $198.99 at CVS pharmacies. Although the formal emergency phase of the pandemic has ended, authorities stress that COVID-19 remains a public health concern.
A relatively new subvariant, identified as NB.1.8.1, has been spreading across Europe and Asia, particularly in regions like Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan. Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious diseases expert at UC San Francisco, noted that this subvariant was first documented in January and has now been detected in California, including Los Angeles County and the San Francisco Bay Area. The World Health Organization (WHO) designated it a “Variant Under Monitoring” last week due to its exponential growth globally.
The WHO reported that the Omicron subvariant accounted for 10.7% of genetically analyzed viral samples worldwide as of April 27, a significant increase from 2.5% earlier in the month. While the overall numbers remain low, the WHO acknowledged a concurrent rise in cases and hospitalizations in countries where NB.1.8.1 is prevalent.
In the United States, another strain, LP.8.1, currently accounts for approximately 73% of coronavirus specimens. Health experts like Dr. Yvonne Maldonado from Stanford University indicate that while NB.1.8.1 does not appear to cause more severe illness, it is notably more transmissible. Taiwan is experiencing a rapid rise in cases attributed to NB.1.8.1, which has resulted in a shortage of COVID testing kits.
In Los Angeles County, the rate of positive COVID tests has slightly increased to 3.5% over recent weeks, and wastewater surveillance indicates a 6% rise in detected coronavirus levels. Despite a mild winter season, health officials remain vigilant for potential summer surges.
In a controversial video message, Kennedy announced the removal of the COVID vaccine recommendation for healthy children and pregnant women from the CDC’s immunization schedule. Experts have expressed concern over this unprecedented political intervention in vaccine recommendations, which typically follow rigorous scientific review processes.
Despite these changes, the CDC continues to recommend that everyone aged six months and older receive the most recent COVID-19 vaccine, known as the 2024-25 version. The California Department of Public Health supports the existing recommendations, emphasizing the importance of staying up to date with vaccination to mitigate severe cases of COVID-19.
Experts warn that if the CDC's recommendations are not upheld, insurance companies may not be obligated to cover COVID vaccine costs, potentially making them inaccessible for many who wish to protect themselves and their families. The L.A. County Department of Public Health reiterated that current guidelines still allow pregnant women and healthy children to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Data shows that while children generally have a lower risk of severe COVID illness, infants under six months old face similar risks as older adults. Dr. Maldonado emphasized that vaccination during pregnancy helps build antibodies that can protect newborns, further underscoring the need for comprehensive vaccination strategies.
As the healthcare system continues to grapple with the impacts of COVID-19, including an estimated 260,000 to 430,000 hospitalizations since October, experts urge continued vigilance and adherence to vaccination protocols to protect vulnerable populations and mitigate future outbreaks.
