COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance & Access - CDC's new guidance recommends individuals under 65 consult a doctor or pharmacist before receiving an updated COVID-19 booster, potentially limiting access [1] - 26 states, predominantly with Democratic leadership, have established their own COVID-19 vaccine guidelines to broaden access, diverging from CDC recommendations [3] - CVS and Walgreens will continue offering COVID-19 shots to individuals starting at age three or five [5] - Individuals on Medicaid or other government health insurance plans can still get a COVID shot [4] MMRV Vaccine & Seizure Risk - The combined MMRV vaccine carries a small increased risk of fever-related seizures in very young children [5][6] - This risk is significantly reduced when the MMR and chickenpox vaccines are administered separately [6] - Doctors have been separating these shots for young babies for years [6] Informed Consent & Shared Decision-Making - The CDC encourages individuals to discuss the risks and benefits of each vaccine with their pediatrician, provider, or pharmacist [8] - The focus is on informed consent and shared decision-making regarding vaccinations [8]