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CDC Reopens Vaccines for Children Ordering After Month-Long Delay

| COVID-19

Federal health officials opened state ordering of updated 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program, ending a weeks-long delay that had left low-income, uninsured and underinsured children without free access even as commercially insured families could already get shots. A CDC official confirmed via email that the agency had 'opened COVID-19 vaccine ordering for the 2026-2027 season,' allowing states to finally place orders on behalf of eligible children.

Media

Low-income children's access to free COVID-19 vaccines had been delayed for weeks before the CDC reopened ordering
Low-income children's access to free COVID-19 vaccines had been delayed for weeks before the CDC reopened ordering — Medical Daily / Getty Images

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