Does it matter that the COVID-19 Vaccine is for Emergency Use Authorization Only and not Full-FDA Approval?

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By Tracy Waller

The History of Vaccines

Vaccinations are recommended for children from birth. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)develops recommendations on the use of vaccines, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sets U.S. adult and childhood vaccinations schedules based on those recommendations.[1] Before leaving the hospital or birthing center, a baby receives the first of three doses of the vaccine that protects against Hepatitis B. Starting at one to two months of age, babies receive six different vaccines: Hepatatis B (second dose), Diptheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) (DTaP), Haemophilus influezae type b (Hib), Polio (IPV), Pneumococcal (PCV), and Rotavirus (RV). 

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Vaccine Allocation Confusion

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Are Vaccines Even Accessible?

Tracy Waller, Esq., MPH, is an attorney with the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities (MCDD) at Kennedy Krieger Institute as part of the MCDD’s grant to develop a Center for Dignity in Healthcare for people with Disabilities (CDHPD).

Vaccine Prioritization Decisions

If you are confused about the vaccine allocation priority groups in your county or state, you are not alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is providing recommendations to federal, state, and local governments about who should be vaccinated first. The CDC’s recommendations are based on those from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), an independent panel of medical and public health experts. The ACIP’s vaccine allocation recommendations aim to: (1) decrease death and serious disease as much as possible, (2) preserve functioning of society, and (3) reduce the extra burden COVID-19 is having on people already facing disparities. 

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Steps to Develop a Disability Advocacy Response to Vaccine Roll-Out Plans

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family photo of Stephanie Meredith and her husband and 3 children
Stephanie Meredith is the author and co-author of multiple resources for new and expectant parents who receive a diagnosis of Down syndrome or other genetic disabilities. Ms. Meredith leads the Center for Dignity’s Prenatal Diagnosis Subcommittee. Ms. Meredith shares her advocacy letter to Georgia state leadership as an example for other advocates who would like to ensure people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have equitable access to vaccines.
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