HARRISONBURG, Va. – Last Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) included COVID-19 vaccinations on its list of recommended immunizations for everyone aged six months and older.
When the federal government ceases sponsoring the COVID-19 vaccination, it will be possible for private insurance companies to begin covering the cost of receiving it. Additionally, some jurisdictions may add COVID-19 vaccinations to their list of immunization requirements for school attendance in response to this suggestion. However, this is not the case for all states.
A statement from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) says that the vaccine will be added to the Vaccines for Children Program after a 15-0 vote by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
“There is no direct, immediate impact on COVID-19 vaccine being added to the Immunization Schedule on school-required vaccines in Virginia,” VDH said in a statement. “In order for a change to occur to those requirements, either 1) the General Assembly would need to pass legislation or 2) the Board of Health would need to pursue regulatory updates to the Regulations for the Immunization of School Children, which would require a Notice of Intended Regulatory Action and a 60-day public comment period.”
Additionally, an update was presented on the criteria that are in place at Waynesboro City Schools.
“We are in regular communication with the Central Shenandoah Health Department and will follow any vaccine guidelines we get from the state. Our locality only requires the vaccines mandated by the state,” Assistant Superintendent Ryan Barber said in an email.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin said in a Tweet that Virginia won’t adopt the recommendation.
