For children, yes, the CDC’s “shared decision-making” guidance preserves the status quo in which Medicaid and U.S. health-insurance companies are legally required to pay for the COVID vaccines. That also means the vaccines will remain available to low-income kids through the federal Vaccines for Children program.

A new COVID variant is spreading, but U.S. vaccine rules have changed. Healthy people under 65, pregnant women, and kids are no longer advised to get the shot, meaning many may have to pay for it.