US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to announce that the Department of Health and Human Services will stop recommending COVID-19 vaccines for children and pregnant individuals, according to a close ally. The decision would be unusual as federal health agencies typically rely on independent advisory bodies for vaccine recommendations.
Kennedy’s announcement comes at a new think tank called the MAHA Institute, which aims to influence federal lawmaking by leveraging Kennedy’s connection. Critics warn that this change could limit access to COVID-19 vaccines, potentially making them unaffordable for some individuals. The decision is also seen as a significant shift away from scientific consensus on vaccine effectiveness.
Kennedy has been pushing for stripped-down vaccine recommendations and has cast doubt on the safety of COVID-19 shots during his confirmation hearings. This move would align with views held by anti-vaccine advocates, who have grown skeptical of certain vaccine technologies.
Source: https://www.statnews.com/2025/05/15/covid-vaccine-recommendations-rfk-jr-reportedly-reversing-for-children-pregnant-women