Tufts health officials say they will continue recommending the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines for all Tufts community members, provided they do not have medical constraints, amid recent federal changes to vaccination policy.
In August, the Food and Drug Administration updated its guidance for this year’s COVID-19 vaccine, advising it only for people over the age of 65 or those at higher risk due to underlying health conditions.
Medical professionals have raised concerns that receiving a vaccine could create barriers for those outside the recommended group, including difficulty finding providers willing to prescribe it and a possible lack of insurance coverage. Some insurance companies and professional groups, however, have confirmed that they will continue to cover updated COVID-19 vaccines with no cost-sharing between patients and insurance companies.
Mixed messaging from federal agencies has also contributed to uncertainty. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, unlike the FDA, continue to recommend that everyone over 6 months old receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
Marie Caggiano, medical director of Tufts Health Service, said vaccines would continue to be offered by the university and remain covered across private health plans, Medicaid and Medicare.
“Tufts encourages all eligible community members to get vaccinated,” Caggiano wrote in a statement to the Daily. “If students have specific concerns or questions about getting vaccinated, they are welcome to consult with a provider at Health Service or with their own primary care provider.”
Caggiano confirmed that those under 65 years of age and those without high-risk conditions remain eligible to be vaccinated.
A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health told the Daily that they remained “hopeful” that students continue to get vaccinated in accordance with Massachusetts guidelines.
Caggiano also highlighted vaccine clinics being hosted this fall, which are available to all Tufts students, staff and faculty who want immunization.
At the clinics, vaccinations without a necessary prescription will be provided by trained pharmacists who are licensed to counsel and vaccinate in Massachusetts. They will take place on the Medford/Somerville campus from Oct. 20–24 and on the School of the Museum of Fine Arts campus Nov. 13.
Caggiano remains hopeful that there will be a high rate of vaccination within the student population this year. Data on student vaccination this year is limited, but Caggiano says there could be repercussions if the number of immunizations decreases.
“Students may be at increased risk of contracting contagious illnesses like COVID-19 and flu due to living in congregate settings, and frequent close contact with others,” Caggiano wrote. “Getting sick can cause significant disruptions due to absences from classes and work and puts students at risk for complications such as pneumonia and long COVID.”
Sophomore Liv Kronenfeld expressed worries that the new regulations could cause fewer people to choose to get vaccinated.
“Vaccines exist for a reason,” she said. “Shots suck and they aren’t very fun, but being vaccinated is really important.”
Kronenfeld also highlighted the effect getting vaccinated has on the health of those around her.
“Having accessible vaccines and healthcare is so important,” she said. “Even if I am less at risk than somebody else, me not being vaccinated means that I’m more likely to get this disease and pass it to somebody close to me and so everybody being vaccinated helps everybody else.”
Sophomore Madeleine Owen agreed with the FDA’s new regulations, given that people above the age of 65 are more susceptible to the virus and more at risk for serious complications. However, she emphasized the importance of insurance coverage and agreed with the effectiveness of herd immunity.
“[If] the vast majority of people get a vaccine, [the next] strain of COVID won’t run through the general school,” Owen said. “Every single random sickness does run through our school really quickly. If you can prevent that, then that’s good.”
Owen said she was not surprised by the conflicting messaging between the CDC and FDA because of the general political climate. However, she would follow the CDC’s suggestions surrounding the new vaccine because they focus specifically on pandemics.
Owen noted that communication about university clinics reminds students to be aware of their health and well-being.
“I feel like we forget about basic taking care of ourselves and so [getting vaccinated is] one of the things that should be like, ‘Hey, go do this,’” Owen said. “You kind of need this to function.”
