To the editor: The brand new leaders on the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration and Division of Well being and Human Providers say COVID-19 vaccines would require extra testing earlier than being authorised for low-risk people below the age of 65 (“Kennedy says COVID vaccines no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women,” Could 27). Meaning your pharmacy is probably not allowed to provide the vaccine even if you need it — even in case you are a caregiver for an impaired or aged particular person or a new child toddler who shouldn’t be uncovered to the virus.
It’s a fundamental public well being precept {that a} illness that kills thousands and thousands of individuals needs to be given a medical “don’t trespass” signal. Herd immunity, produced when members of the herd have antibodies that present resistance to a illness, is one factor that limits illness unfold. This immunity can come from both restoration from an infection or by vaccination. If you wish to get antibodies safely, vaccination is the way in which.
I’m no professional on infectious ailments, however neither is Robert “I don’t assume individuals needs to be taking medical recommendation from me” Kennedy Jr. Ask the true specialists.
Michael Gross, MD, Woodland Hills
