Dr Prasad's memo (and the NEJM article) both mention other countries. Of course, the complete description is missed. The approved indication in the EU (via the EMEA) is the following for Spikevax: Spikevax JN.1 is indicated for active immunization to prevent COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 in individuals aged 6 months and older."
Each EU country is allowed to develop their own recommendations on use. Using Germany as an example (from: Recommendations on the Standing Vaccination Commission at the Robert Koch Institute, 2025; Epidemiological Bulletin, January 23, 2025):
Recommendations on standard vaccinations for adults, and indication-based (occupational and travel) vaccines and boosters for all groups.
COVID-19 Vaccination (SJ)=Standard vaccinations for universal application, (I)= Indicated vaccinations for risk groups, (O) = Occupational.
1) (S) All persons aged 18-59 years with incomplete baseline immunity (<3 antigen contacts or unvaccinated).
2) (S) Women of childbearing age and healthy pregnant women, of all ages with incomplete baseline immunity.
3) (S) Persons aged 60 years or more.
4) (I) Residents of long-term care facilities and people with an increased risk of severe course of illness in integration aid facilities.
5) (I) Persons aged 6 months and older with an increased health risk for a severe COVID-19 course due to an underlying condition such as: (I will not provide the list)
6) (I) Family members and close contacts from persons the age of 6 months of persons in whom COVID-19 vaccination is not expected to produce a protective immune response.
7) (O) Staff in medical facilities and long-term care facilities with direct contact with patients or residents.
Currently, the STIKO does not recommend COVID-19 vaccination for infants, children, and adolescents without underlying disease. However, the indication for the product is people aged 6 months and older.
A CDC presentation was referenced but a couple of important aspects were omitted, one being that vaccination reactions were transient, and two the majority of reactions were mild to moderate.
He also warns about some long-term unknown hazard but fails to consider the alternative, unknown, long-term hazards that may be associated with the disease. We already know of some long-term hazards with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Where is the evidence for these long-term effects if decisions are evidence-based?
All the political appointees in HHS use the tactic to cherry pick bits and pieces without giving complete context. This has nothing to do with evidence-based medicine but everything to do with weaving a narrative to justify their prior position. To paraphrase Dr Daniel Griffin, when politics is mixed with science, you get politics and when politics mix with medicine, children die.
I think kids are in for a world of hurt beyond what's already hurting them.
What I think is that we're in big trouble in so many ways right now, it boggles the mind.
What about adults 65 and older?
Dr Prasad's memo (and the NEJM article) both mention other countries. Of course, the complete description is missed. The approved indication in the EU (via the EMEA) is the following for Spikevax: Spikevax JN.1 is indicated for active immunization to prevent COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 in individuals aged 6 months and older."
Each EU country is allowed to develop their own recommendations on use. Using Germany as an example (from: Recommendations on the Standing Vaccination Commission at the Robert Koch Institute, 2025; Epidemiological Bulletin, January 23, 2025):
Recommendations on standard vaccinations for adults, and indication-based (occupational and travel) vaccines and boosters for all groups.
COVID-19 Vaccination (SJ)=Standard vaccinations for universal application, (I)= Indicated vaccinations for risk groups, (O) = Occupational.
1) (S) All persons aged 18-59 years with incomplete baseline immunity (<3 antigen contacts or unvaccinated).
2) (S) Women of childbearing age and healthy pregnant women, of all ages with incomplete baseline immunity.
3) (S) Persons aged 60 years or more.
4) (I) Residents of long-term care facilities and people with an increased risk of severe course of illness in integration aid facilities.
5) (I) Persons aged 6 months and older with an increased health risk for a severe COVID-19 course due to an underlying condition such as: (I will not provide the list)
6) (I) Family members and close contacts from persons the age of 6 months of persons in whom COVID-19 vaccination is not expected to produce a protective immune response.
7) (O) Staff in medical facilities and long-term care facilities with direct contact with patients or residents.
Currently, the STIKO does not recommend COVID-19 vaccination for infants, children, and adolescents without underlying disease. However, the indication for the product is people aged 6 months and older.
A CDC presentation was referenced but a couple of important aspects were omitted, one being that vaccination reactions were transient, and two the majority of reactions were mild to moderate.
He also warns about some long-term unknown hazard but fails to consider the alternative, unknown, long-term hazards that may be associated with the disease. We already know of some long-term hazards with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Where is the evidence for these long-term effects if decisions are evidence-based?
All the political appointees in HHS use the tactic to cherry pick bits and pieces without giving complete context. This has nothing to do with evidence-based medicine but everything to do with weaving a narrative to justify their prior position. To paraphrase Dr Daniel Griffin, when politics is mixed with science, you get politics and when politics mix with medicine, children die.