U.S. Health Secretary Ends COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations for Healthy Children and Pregnant Women
Washington, D.C., May 27, 2025 — In a sweeping shift to U.S. public health policy, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. The decision, delivered in a video posted to social media, removes these groups from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) official immunization schedule, marking an unprecedented move in the nation’s pandemic response.
Details of the Announcement
Kennedy, flanked by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary and National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, stated that the change is based on a review of available data and input from federal agencies. He argued that the risks of COVID-19 vaccination in healthy children and pregnant women now outweigh the benefits, citing a lack of “high-quality data demonstrating safety of the mRNA vaccines during pregnancy” and uncertainty about the benefits for these groups.
“I couldn’t be more pleased to announce that, as of today, the COVID vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women has been removed from the CDC’s recommended immunization schedule,” Kennedy said in the announcement video.
Notably, no representatives from the CDC appeared in the video, and sources indicate that neither the CDC nor its expert vaccine advisory panel was consulted or notified prior to the announcement. As of Tuesday evening, the CDC’s website still listed COVID-19 vaccines in its pediatric and maternal immunization schedules, underscoring the abrupt nature of the policy change.
Reactions and Implications
The move has sparked intense debate across the medical and public health communities. Supporters argue it prioritizes individual health decisions and aligns with evolving scientific evidence, while critics warn it could undermine public trust and threaten vulnerable populations.
Medical experts have pointed out that, while COVID-19 is generally mild in most children, severe illness and long-term complications can still occur. Data from the CDC previously showed that vaccination reduced the risk of emergency room visits and hospitalizations among young children by about 40%. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other groups had continued to recommend vaccination for children and pregnant women, citing the risks of severe disease and the protective benefits for newborns.
Policy Process and Concerns
Kennedy’s directive bypassed the CDC’s established process, which typically involves review and recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The FDA’s own advisory committee was also not consulted before the announcement. The lack of clarity over what constitutes a “healthy” child or pregnant woman in this context has led to further questions from healthcare providers and the public.
Context: New COVID-19 Strain and Ongoing Investigations
The announcement comes as a new COVID-19 strain, NB 1.8.1, originating in China, has been detected in the U.S. The variant is spreading rapidly in parts of Asia, leading to increased hospitalizations for severe respiratory illness and renewing debates over preventive measures.
Meanwhile, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is under criminal investigation for alleged misrepresentation in his handling of the pandemic, adding to the scrutiny of previous public health leadership.
The CDC is expected to convene its advisory panel in June to discuss updated guidance for COVID-19 vaccinations, including whether to recommend shots for only high-risk groups or to continue offering them to the broader population. For now, Kennedy’s directive stands as a significant departure from previous federal policy, with far-reaching implications for public health strategy and vaccine access in the United States.