RFK Jr. Ends CDC Covid Vaccine Recommendations for Healthy Children and Pregnant Women

On May 27, 2025, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the CDC will no longer recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for healthy children and pregnant women123.

The announcement was made via a post on social media site X, alongside Jay Bhattacharya (NIH director) and Marty Makary (FDA commissioner)3.

Kennedy signed a directive outlining the change on May 19, but did not immediately make it public3.

No new evidence was cited to support the removal of these recommendations, and the usual procedures for changing vaccine recommendations were bypassed3.

Neither the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) nor its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) was consulted or notified prior to the announcement3.

Experts have described the move as 'unprecedented,' expressing concern over both the process and the public health implications3.

The decision has been criticized for potentially threatening access to vaccines, undermining choice, and negatively impacting health outcomes, especially for vulnerable populations2.

Sources:

1. https://www.aha.org/news/headline/2025-05-27-rfk-jr-says-cdc-will-no-longer-recommend-covid-19-vaccine-healthy-children-pregnant-women

2. https://www.idsociety.org/news--publications-new/articles/2025/new-covid-vaccine-recommendations-threaten-access-undermine-choice-and-will-negatively-impact-health/

3. https://www.statnews.com/2025/05/27/covid-shots-pregnant-women-children-recommendation-change-hhs-secretary-kennedy/