In a recent announcement, Marin County’s public health officer, Dr. Matt Santora, is strongly encouraging residents to consider getting vaccinated against COVID-19. “We recommend that anyone 6 months or older who has not received their 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccine get it now,” Santora stated on Wednesday. He highlighted concerns that access to vaccines may become limited by fall due to evolving policies from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This recommendation comes in light of a controversial announcement made by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on May 27. In a brief video posted on the social media platform X, he claimed that the CDC would no longer recommend the COVID vaccine for healthy children or pregnant women. Santora expressed his concerns, stating, “A statement like that creates confusion and undermines trust in vaccine safety and efficacy.”
Typically, the CDC relies on its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to guide vaccination recommendations, which are almost always followed by the CDC director. However, Santora pointed out that currently, the CDC lacks a director, which complicates the decision-making process.
As of Tuesday, the CDC had not modified its online recommendations for healthy children aged 6 months to 17 years. However, changes were made by Wednesday morning. “They just changed the CDC website,” Santora remarked. The new guidance states that routine vaccinations are now only recommended for individuals aged 18 and older who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised. Under this updated guideline, children aged 6 months and older can receive the vaccine if their parents consult with a healthcare provider.
In response to Kennedy's assertion that vaccines would no longer be recommended for pregnant women, Santora clarified, “Again, Kennedy is not following the standard process within the CDC. Pregnancy is identified as a risk factor, making it a condition that qualifies individuals for the COVID vaccine.”
Adding to the situation, Dr. Lakshmi Panagiotakopoulos, a notable ACIP member, resigned in protest over these developments. Santora noted that data presented by Panagiotakopoulos indicated unvaccinated pregnant women contracting COVID-19 are at a higher risk of hospitalization, which can also adversely affect their babies’ health. “There’s a strong recommendation that pregnant women do get vaccinated because it provides protection to the infant,” he emphasized.
Dr. Santora raised concerns about potential limitations in vaccination choices for the public, particularly due to FDA policies. The FDA has authorized updated versions of the COVID vaccine tailored to combat the latest variants. Currently, the Moderna vaccine approved for fall use is only available for individuals aged 12 and older. The implications of the CDC's shifting recommendations and FDA authorizations could also influence insurance companies' willingness to cover vaccine costs. Kaiser Permanente has yet to respond to inquiries regarding this matter.
Due to reductions in federal funding for vaccine procurement, low-income residents in Marin County are now required to visit local pharmacies for their vaccinations. Although schools do not mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for students, Santora expressed concern that Kennedy’s anti-vaccine stance might lead to decreased vaccination rates for other diseases. “Kennedy and his colleagues believe children are receiving more vaccines than necessary,” Santora stated, warning that this could signal significant changes in federal policies affecting childhood vaccines that have historically reduced hospitalizations and mortality rates from preventable diseases.
Regarding the current state of COVID-19 in Marin County, testing of local wastewater indicates low levels of the virus. As of the week ending May 24, only two COVID-19 patients were hospitalized in the area. The last surge in cases occurred in August 2024. Currently, approximately 31% of residents in Marin County are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations.
“It’s been a delightful six months,” said Dr. John Swartzberg, a clinical professor emeritus of infectious diseases and vaccinology at the University of California, Berkeley. However, he cautioned, “We can’t be very sure about what this virus is going to do, but there are very good infectious disease epidemiologists who argue that we will see a summer surge.” Santora echoed this sentiment, noting, “People forget until they get sick with it. They underestimate their risk. Based on previous patterns, I expect to see an increase in infections.”
This report was contributed to by the Bay Area News Group.
