On Tuesday, May 27th, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared that COVID-19 vaccines will no longer be advised for healthy children and pregnant women, resulting in their removal from the CDC’s immunization schedule.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf, and NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins confirmed the update in a video posted on X.
This decision was made public ahead of the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting, skipping the usual independent panel review and vote that typically approves vaccine guidelines before CDC adoption.
Supporters of the move, like Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, called it “common sense and good science.” Dr. Martin Makary emphasized that evidence does not support vaccinating healthy children, noting that many countries have already stopped recommending the vaccine for this group.
However, the announcement raised concerns among medical professionals. Dr. Steven Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, expressed disappointment, highlighting the dangers COVID-19 poses during pregnancy. He stressed the importance of maternal vaccination for transferring protective antibodies to newborns.
Similarly, Dr. Sean O’Leary of the American Academy of Pediatrics described the decision as confusing for both parents and healthcare providers, warning it could reduce informed choices regarding vaccination.
The change also has implications for vaccine access and insurance coverage, as many providers base benefits on the CDC schedule. CVS Health and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association confirmed they are reviewing the update to determine how it will affect their policies.
While Kennedy’s team points to a lack of clinical data supporting repeated boosters in children, the CDC continues to assert that COVID vaccines during pregnancy and early childhood are safe and offer vital protection against severe illness.
