CDC Revokes COVID Vaccine Recommendations for Healthy Children and Pregnant Women Amid Updated Public Health Guidance
CDC drops COVID-19 vaccine from recommended schedule for healthy children and pregnant women, sparking debate among health officials and experts.
The COVID-19 vaccine is no longer being recommended for healthy children or pregnant women, according to updated guidance released by U.S. health officials this week.
*Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the change in a video posted Tuesday, stating that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had removed these groups from its recommended immunization schedule. Kennedy was accompanied by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary and National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Jay Bhattacharya in the announcement.*
According to Kennedy, “Last year, the Biden administration urged healthy children to get yet another COVID shot, despite the lack of any clinical data to support the repeat booster strategy in children.” He said the new decision marks a shift toward a more evidence-based approach.
Dr. Bhattacharya supported the change, stating, “That ends today — it’s common sense and it’s good science.” Dr. Makary also emphasized there has been no scientific evidence supporting the need for COVID vaccination in healthy children, noting that many countries around the world have already stopped recommending the vaccine for this demographic.
Key points from the announcement include:
- The CDC’s official immunization schedule will no longer include the COVID-19 vaccine for healthy children or pregnant women.
- Officials cited a lack of supporting data and global precedents in shaping the new guidelines.
- The CDC had previously advised vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older.
Kennedy concluded the briefing by referencing a campaign promise, saying, “We’re now one step closer to realizing President Trump’s promise to make America healthy again.”
The announcement comes as the U.S. reports cases of a new COVID-19 variant linked to a recent surge in China, raising questions about ongoing vaccine strategies.
Pfizer and Moderna, manufacturers of the most widely used COVID vaccines in the U.S., were contacted for comment about the new recommendation. As of publication, there has been no response.
The CDC’s revised stance signals an evolving approach to pandemic-era public health measures, with a renewed focus on weighing risks and benefits across age and risk groups. Health officials indicated that further updates will be issued as more data becomes available.
