The CDC took the unusual step of going to Twitter on Wednesday to correct a Fox News report that claimed the agency was set to require schoolchildren to receive COVID-19 vaccines.
The CDC’s message was sent in response to a tweet from broadcaster Tucker Carlson, which linked video from his television report on Tuesday night explaining his claim that the CDC was ready to add the vaccine to the childhood immunization schedule.
“The CDC immunization schedule is a guideline for commonly recommended childhood vaccinations,” wrote the CDC. “Actual required vaccinations are determined by the states, not mandated nationally.”
The CDC appeared compelled to respond as Carlson's video went viral, receiving 1.8 million views.
But on Wednesday night, Carlson stood by his claim, saying that a CDC vote—which is set for this afternoon—to add COVID vaccines to the immunization schedule would, in effect, be a mandate, at least in some areas.
“More than a dozen states follow the CDC’s immunization schedule to set vaccination requirements,” said Carlson, who quoted language to that effect in guidance documents from states such as Virginia, Massachusetts and Tennessee.
But the Washington Post points to health experts who cite the CDC’s 2006 recommendation that teens be vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV). That advice is followed by only two states.
As an aside, a CDC advisory committee did vote unanimously on Wednesday to provide COVID shots for free to children under the age of 19 who can’t afford them. While vaccines currently are free to everyone in the U.S., that will change sometime in 2023 when the nation transitions to a commercial model.
The FDA’s Vaccines for Children program will provide free vaccines to children who are uninsured, under-insured, on Medicaid or are Native American.