The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and US pharmacies
are currently in a tiff after many pharmaceuticals have denied providing
fourth vaccine jabs to immune-compromised people.

Even though four doses are not recommended for most Americans, the
center had urged millions of those with weak immune systems to get the shot.  

Despite the directive, pharmacies and hospitals have denied to provide the
fourth shot, possibly due to vaccine-related doubts and failure in clear
communication by the CDC.

This has left the CDC worry about its vulnerable population. Elizabeth
Nunn, an immune-compromised woman from New York stated, “A lot of
pharmacies are just not understanding. They hear ‘fourth shot,’ and it just
freaks them out.”  

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According to
Kristen Nordlund, a CDC spokesperson, the protocol for fourth jabs was constantly
announced on weekly conference calls with pharmaceutical giants since October
last year.

Around seven million of the American population is immune compromised with
chronic diseases like cancer, HIV, according to the CDC. Furthermore, several
studies have deduced that immune-compromised patients fail to have an antibody
response even after 2-3 Covid-19 vaccine doses.

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While the exact cause behind the dispute remains unclear for now, the
debate has been ongoing since last fall. After the initial announcement, many
even rebuked the third dose of the inoculation.

The ongoing dispute
continues due to failure in deciphering protocol. According to Allie Jo Shipman,
director of state policy for the National Alliance of State Pharmacy
Associations, “Confusion and information overload combined to create the
perfect storm.”

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According to Janet Handal, president of the Transplant
Recipients and Immunocompromised Patient Advocacy Group, the CDC could have
articulated the protocol well and communicated better with health departments
and pharmacies.

In conversation with CNN, Rosa Baier, an associate professor at
the Brown University School of Public Health with an immune-compromised mother who
was rejected the fourth dose, stated that the language on the CDC website tends
to be confusing and vague.  “You
have to read between the lines to see that they’re referring to shots one, two,
three and four. You have to read it a few times to interpret it,” she
said.