RFK Jr Announces COVID Vaccine No Longer Recommended for Pregnant Women and Healthy Kids

Source: Youtube

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday that the COVID vaccine will no longer be recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. The decision immediately drew backlash from pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, and public health officials who warned it contradicts current scientific evidence and weakens the country’s pandemic defenses.

Kennedy’s move breaks with the CDC’s long-standing guidance that included these groups in national vaccination schedules. It also appears to undercut a pledge he made during his Senate confirmation hearings not to block access to vaccines or discourage their use.

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices had not yet met to reconsider the guidelines. Medical groups say the decision sidestepped the usual open process. Dr. Sean O’Leary, who chairs the infectious disease committee at the American Academy of Pediatrics, called the move “confusing and damaging.”

Why the COVID Vaccine Policy Shift Matters

Pregnant women face higher risks from COVID, including hospitalization and complications that can endanger both parent and baby. Vaccinating during pregnancy has been shown to protect newborns, who are not eligible for vaccination but are among the most vulnerable to severe illness. In addition, children also remain at risk for the highly contagious virus. Though many recover quickly from COVID, the virus has hospitalized more than 230,000 children since 2020. Nearly 1,800 pediatric deaths have been recorded in the United States, and studies show that one in three of those children had no underlying condition.

Some doctors argue that natural immunity or previous vaccinations offer sufficient protection for most healthy kids. But others say immunity can wane, and newer variants make boosters valuable. The vaccine also appears to reduce the risk of long COVID in children.

Consequences for COVID Vaccine Access

By removing the COVID vaccine from the federal recommendation schedule, Kennedy has set in motion changes that go beyond guidance. Many insurance providers follow CDC schedules to determine what they cover. Without that recommendation, families may find it harder to get the vaccine or may have to pay out of pocket.

“This decision could make it significantly harder for millions of Americans to access vaccines they want for themselves and their families,” said Tina Tan, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Dr. Steven Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, echoed the concern, saying the organization was “extremely disappointed.” He noted that federal guidance strongly influences what providers recommend during prenatal care.

Critics also point to how the change was made. Normally, adjustments to national immunization guidelines come after votes by independent experts. Those votes are held in public and supported by published data. Instead, Kennedy made the announcement in a social media video, flanked by officials who have voiced skepticism about mRNA vaccines. Michael Osterholm, a leading infectious disease expert, described the move as “on the fly policymaking.” Others warned that it undermines public trust in health agencies and leaves key groups exposed.

Policy Shift, Public Confusion

The FDA recently tightened rules on how COVID vaccine boosters are evaluated for healthy adults, signaling a shift toward more caution. Kennedy’s action appears to push even further, aligning with his past criticism of mass vaccination programs. HHS press officials stated that the department still supports “gold standard science,” but offered no details on what alternative protections will be provided for the groups now excluded from guidance.

The CDC will meet later this month to review its position, but many fear the damage is already done. Doctors say families are already asking if COVID vaccines are unsafe, even though no new evidence was cited to justify the change.

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