The identical week the CDC introduced cuts to suggestions for vaccines, San Mateo County reported that an unvaccinated baby has died from influenza.
The kid, whose age and title weren’t launched by authorities, is the second flu demise in San Mateo County this season, officers say. On Monday, Deputy Secretary of Well being and Human Companies Jim O’Neill signed a memorandum to now not embrace flu vaccines, amongst vaccines for 10 different illnesses, to be on a beneficial vaccination schedule.
Different modifications embrace dropping a compulsory hepatitis B vaccine for newborns, in addition to figuring out bacterial meningitis, rotavirus and COVID-19 as beneficial just for “excessive threat teams.” Whereas CDC suggestions gained’t lead to lack of entry to such vaccines or insurance coverage gaps, public well being consultants and pediatricians warn that the cuts are more likely to lead to confusion and a resurgence of illnesses in faculties.
Adjustments to vaccine necessities have lengthy been a speaking level of the Trump administration, in accordance with The Instances, however got here to nationwide consideration in December when Trump signed a presidential memorandum on childhood vaccines, immediately cited by the CDC as the explanation for the current vaccine advice modifications.
In an announcement, the American Academy of Pediatrics referred to as the modifications “harmful.” In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom mentioned the state joined in September with Oregon, Washington and Hawaii to create impartial vaccine tips.
Dr. Kismet Baldwin-Santana, well being officer for San Mateo County, shared in an announcement that she’s “deeply saddened” by the loss and recommends folks take preventative measures like vaccines to keep away from future deaths.
Influenza can result in problems and fatalities, particularly in folks 65 years and older or beneath 5 with fever, cough and sore throat.
