In a controversial move, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on May 27, 2025, that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has removed COVID-19 vaccines from the recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women. The decision, which bypasses the CDC’s standard advisory process, has sparked intense debate among medical experts, policymakers, and the public.
What Changed in CDC Vaccine Guidelines?
Kennedy, a known vaccine skeptic, revealed the policy change via a video posted on X, stating, “As of today, the COVID vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women has been removed from the CDC’s recommended immunization schedule.” The decision, effective immediately following adoption by HHS on May 13, 2025, ends the CDC’s prior guidance recommending annual COVID-19 vaccinations for everyone over 6 months, including healthy children and pregnant women.
The move sidesteps the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which typically debates and votes on vaccine recommendations in public meetings. The ACIP was set to discuss the issue in June but was overruled by Kennedy’s unilateral action, prompting criticism from experts who argue it undermines evidence-based processes. Vaccines remain recommended for high-risk groups, such as those over 65 or with conditions like obesity or heart disease, with updated shots targeting the JN.1 variant planned for fall 2025.
Why the Change?
Kennedy cited a lack of sufficient data to support routine COVID-19 vaccinations for healthy children, noting that most now have some immunity from prior infections or vaccinations. He and FDA officials, including Dr. Marty Makary and Dr. Vinay Prasad, argue that the risk of severe COVID-19 in healthy children is low, with only 4% of hospitalizations last season involving children. For pregnant women, the decision conflicts with prior CDC guidance emphasizing heightened risks of severe illness, hospitalization, and complications like miscarriage during pregnancy.
Critics, including former CDC adviser Dr. Camille Kotton, called the move “incredibly disappointing,” highlighting studies showing vaccines reduce severe outcomes in children by 70-80% and in pregnant women by 80-90%, while also lowering long COVID risk in kids by 35-40%. The CDC previously noted that a significant share of hospitalized infants and young children had no underlying conditions, underscoring the vaccine’s protective role.
Impact on Public Health and Insurance
The policy shift raises concerns about access and affordability. CDC recommendations typically ensure insurance coverage for vaccines without out-of-pocket costs, but the new guidance could lead insurers to limit coverage for healthy children and pregnant women, potentially restricting access. Legal experts note the unprecedented nature of a health secretary overriding the CDC’s authority, which could set a precedent for future policy changes.
Public reaction on X is polarized. Supporters of Kennedy’s decision, including some “medical freedom” advocates, praise the move as empowering personal choice, with posts claiming it aligns with “care and clarity” in health decisions. Critics, however, warn of increased risks, particularly for pregnant women and infants, citing data on the virus’s complications.
What’s Next?
The ACIP is still scheduled to meet on June 25, 2025, to finalize fall vaccination recommendations, but Kennedy’s action may limit its scope. The FDA, under Makary and Prasad, is also tightening vaccine approval processes, requiring larger trials for those under 65, which could further restrict availability. Public health leaders fear declining vaccination rates could exacerbate outbreaks, especially amid rising vaccine skepticism fueled by Kennedy’s influence and a measles outbreak in Texas.
