Arizona woman struggles to get COVID booster amid new vaccination guidelines
MESA, Ariz. (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - As Department of Human and Health Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continues to overhaul the FDA, many Americans are confused about current vaccine guidelines and what they will and won't have access to.
Now, an Arizona resident who wants a COVID booster says she's been unable to set up an appointment, even with a prescription from her doctor.
Mesa resident Jane Koepsel is frustrated because she's been trying to get a COVID booster, but keeps hitting roadblocks.
"I'm concerned because I do have risk factors," Koepsel shared. "I usually get my vaccine at CVS. I went online to make my appointment and it wouldn't let me make the COVID-19 vaccination appointment. And I went to the doctor and got a prescription and that didn't work. So what more can I do as a patient trying to take care of my health?"
The 64-year-old says she's taking a trip later this month and wants to be protected, but after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced new federal guidelines for COVID-19 vaccinations, things are in limbo.
"I'm really angry, that this is happening to our healthcare system. It wasn't great to begin with and they're going to make it worse? Why does the Federal Government need to dictate to me whether or not I get it?" Koepsel expressed.
"It's all up in the air right now because we just don't know what the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) and CDC are going to decide," said Will Humble, Executive Director of the Arizona Public Health Association.
Humble says the ACIP is looking at the FDA's tightened guidelines for several vaccines.
"It's not just COVID-19 vaccine that's at risk…it's the MMRv vaccine…it's HPV vaccine and others," he added.
The uncertainty comes because many members of that group were recently replaced by HHS Secretary Kennedy.
"This new committee of people, many who are anti-vaccine and anti-evidence that's what the real risk is that the members of this committee are very different from the evidence based, academic type of folks who've been on this committee for decades," Humble shared.
The FDA recommends those 65 and up, as well as adults and children with underlying health issues, get the booster.
Still, it raises questions about insurance coverage and if prescriptions will be needed.
Humble says only time will tell saying, "What they do in a couple weeks will directly determine whether viewers that watching this will be able to vaccine this fall for COVID-19 or not, and maybe even some of the childhood vaccinations."
As for Koepsel, she continues the hunt for a COVID booster, and is hopeful clarity will come soon.
