Staff Writer
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women, marking a significant shift in the nation’s public health guidance.
In a brief 58-second video posted to the social media platform X, Kennedy stated that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has removed its recommendation for COVID-19 vaccinations in these two groups. The video did not feature any CDC representatives, and when contacted, CDC officials directed inquiries to Kennedy and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
This announcement diverges from the position held by many public health officials and infectious disease experts, who continue to support annual COVID-19 booster shots for Americans aged six months and older. A CDC advisory committee is scheduled to meet in June to discuss fall vaccination guidelines, including whether to target high-risk populations specifically or maintain broader vaccine availability.
Kennedy, who was previously known for his skepticism of vaccines before assuming the role of health secretary, cited a lack of clinical data supporting annual COVID-19 boosters for children. “They’ve been recommending these boosters for kids without clinical evidence,” he said in the video, where he appeared alongside Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary and Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The move follows broader efforts within the administration to scale back COVID-19 vaccine recommendations. Last week, the FDA announced that routine COVID-19 vaccine approvals will now be restricted to older adults and younger individuals with underlying health conditions. Further research is expected before any new recommendations are made for healthy individuals across other age groups.
At this time, HHS has not provided additional details about the rationale or scientific review behind Kennedy’s decision. The shift has sparked debate among public health experts and underscores the evolving landscape of COVID-19 policy in the United States.
The CDC’s advisory panel is expected to provide updated guidance in the coming weeks, which could further clarify the federal government’s stance ahead of the next vaccination season.
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