Dear John,

This week, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the CDC would be implementing new COVID vaccine policy, which includes narrowing groups eligible to receive vaccines without a prescription.

For Flashback Friday, let's take a look at what Health Affairs has published on the topic of vaccine policy.

Vaccine Politics

Richard Hughes IV (July 2024)

California’s COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Policy: Cases, Hospitalizations, And Deaths Averted In Affected Communities

Christopher M. Hoover et al. (May 2024)

Lawsuit Challenges Withdrawal Of CDC Recommendations Of COVID Vaccines For Pregnant Women And Children

Sara Rosenbaum (August 2025)

Vaccine Policy In Crisis: Secretary Kennedy Dismisses Entire Advisory Committee On Immunization Practices

Richard Hughes IV and Sara Rosenbaum (June 2025)

To Bolster Expert Advice In Vaccination Policy Beyond COVID-19, Improve Coordination And Trust

Angela K. Shen and Jason L. Schwartz (July 2022)

Today's Featured Articles

PBM Laws & State Reforms: Are Big Changes Coming?

Health Affairs' Jeff Byers welcomes Andrew Twinamatsiko of O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law back to the program to discuss pharmacy benefit managers, the laws around PBMs, the statutes in place from the Express Scripts Inc. v. Richmond case, and more.

Blockbusters And Loopholes: Expanding Exemptions In Medicare Drug Price Negotiations

Kristi Martin et al.

part of our Health Policy At A Crossroads series

The Blockbuster Orphan Paradox: Consequences Of Special Treatment Of Rare Disease Drugs In Medicare Negotiation

Jennifer C. Chen and Anna Kaltenboeck

part of our Health Policy At A Crossroads series

For States With Cost Growth Targets, 2023 Spending Growth Was High Across The Board

Jessica Mar and January Angeles

Join Health Affairs Wednesday September 3 for a free virtual briefing on our September theme issue on opioids.

Panels include:

• Geographic and Systemic Challenges in the Opioid Crisis
• Expanding Access to Opioid Treatment and Harm Reduction
• Opioid Treatment Coverage, Access, and Quality Across Payers
• Treatment Gaps for Youth and Justice-Involved Individuals