Covid-19 Vaccines for Children Delayed for Medicaid Families as States Race to Catch Up

 

Low-Income Families Still Waiting for Covid-19 Vaccines for Children

For many families across the United States, especially those relying on Medicaid or government health programs, the new Covid-19 vaccine for kids remains frustratingly out of reach — even weeks after it was approved for general use.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) formally recommended the 2025 Covid-19 vaccine for the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program this week, but families like Valerie Brickey and her 16-year-old granddaughter Ryleigh, who live near Durham, North Carolina, say the wait has already gone on too long.

“I went to three pharmacies and even our regular pediatrician,” Brickey said. “No one had it. One place told me it would be $368 out of pocket — and if I could afford that, we wouldn’t be on Medicaid!”

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Why the Delay Happened

Under normal circumstances, children on Medicaid or without insurance can get free vaccines through the VFC program, which delivers more than 70 million doses each year to local doctors and clinics. But this year, a series of political and administrative delays stalled the rollout.

In June 2025, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., then Secretary of Health and Human Services, removed all 17 members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel — the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) — and replaced them with his own appointees. That move postponed the official vote to include the updated Covid-19 vaccine in the VFC program until mid-September, leaving states unable to order doses for low-income children.

During the delay, privately insured kids were able to get their shots, while those depending on VFC — including millions of low-income and Medicaid families — were left waiting.

“Children who use VFC have been deprived of the updated vaccine for weeks while waiting for a signature,” wrote Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, former head of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. “This meant privately insured kids had access while uninsured kids did not. This is your new CDC.”

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Families Left Vulnerable

Ryleigh, 16, has multiple chronic health conditions — including a seizure disorder and POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) — making her especially vulnerable to severe Covid complications. Her grandmother Valerie, who has diabetes and is Ryleigh’s primary caregiver, said she’s terrified of what could happen if either of them got sick.

“I’ve been through sepsis before,” Brickey said. “I had to learn how to walk again after that. I don’t want to go through that — and I definitely don’t want my granddaughter to get sick.”

Despite her risk, their pediatrician told Brickey that the office hadn’t planned to carry Covid vaccines this year because storage requirements are complex and state orders were delayed.

When Brickey called pharmacies, the story was the same: “We were told she could get the vaccine only if we paid hundreds of dollars. That’s just not realistic.”

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States Say Vaccines Are Finally on the Way

After the CDC’s formal recommendation on Monday, states are finally allowed to order vaccines through the VFC program, and shipments are expected to begin arriving soon.

Officials from North Carolina, South Carolina, Hawaii, Utah, and Kentucky all confirmed they have started the ordering process. Most expect vaccines to arrive at clinics and pharmacies within two weeks.

“Vaccines for Children (VFC) providers may be delayed in receiving Covid-19 vaccines this year because they had to wait for CDC approval before ordering supply,” said the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services in a statement.

Dr. Michelle Fiscus, chief medical officer for the Association of Immunization Managers, said that once orders are placed, “states should have vaccines in hand by the end of the week.”

Still, health departments caution that not all locations will have every vaccine right away. Families are encouraged to check vaccinefinder.org or call ahead to confirm availability.

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A Race Against Time

The delay in VFC access has real consequences. Public health experts estimate that the missed opportunity to co-administer flu and Covid vaccines this fall could mean millions of children remain unprotected just as virus levels rise again.

Dr. Kendra Steele, spokesperson for the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, urged families not to give up.

“We encourage everyone to speak with their healthcare provider and get an updated Covid-19 shot this fall — especially young children, seniors, and those with underlying conditions.”

For families like Valerie and Ryleigh’s, that advice can’t come soon enough.

“You do what you’ve got to do in this life to get by,” Brickey said. “We’re trying our best to stay safe — we just need a fair chance to get the vaccine, like everyone else.”