Here & Now

Evers Order Requires COVID Vaccine Coverage in Wisconsin

Frederica Freyberg:
Wisconsin health officials want to make sure anyone who wants to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine can. That’s why the state’s top epidemiologist has issued a standing medical order after a federal vaccine panel Friday declined to recommend COVID-19 vaccines for all Americans. The state order coincides with guidance from the commissioner of insurance, saying health plans should cover the cost.

Ryan Westergaard:
In the past, our nation’s medical associations and our nation’s federal health agencies who review the same data have issued recommendations that align with one another. Today, that’s not the case. In the past several months, leaders at federal agencies have made policy decisions and issued recommendations that aren’t supported by or directly contradict scientific consensus. These decisions may result in limited access to the COVID-19 vaccine, which scientific studies have continuously showed lower the risk of illness, hospitalization and death for people who choose to get them.