1. United States
2. Neb.
3. Letter

I strongly disagree with the FDA's new policy restricting routine access to annual COVID-19 vaccines for healthy younger adults and children. This decision appears to be politically motivated rather than grounded in scientific evidence and public health principles. Vaccines have been crucial in reducing severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths from COVID-19. The FDA's own data shows that booster doses provide significant protection against mild to moderate illness for several months, even in healthy individuals. Limiting vaccine access for these groups will undoubtedly lead to more infections, disruptions, and potential long-term health consequences. The FDA's recommendation for lengthy placebo-controlled studies before approving updated vaccines for healthy populations is unrealistic and unethical, as it would leave millions unprotected during such trials. The historical precedent has been to update vaccines based on demonstrating comparable immune responses, not through time-consuming efficacy trials. This policy shift seems to prioritize political ideology over public health and safety. It contradicts recommendations from expert advisory panels and disregards the extensive data on the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination across all age groups. I urge the FDA to reconsider this misguided decision and restore routine access to these life-saving vaccines for all Americans.