Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s decision to stop recommending routine Covid-19 vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women has sparked widespread outrage among scientists and medical experts.
Kennedy, a prominent vaccine skeptic, announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended immunization schedule no longer includes the Covid shot for these groups. However, he failed to provide any scientific evidence to support this change.
The dropped recommendation is particularly concerning for pregnant women and their babies, who are at higher risk of severe complications from Covid-19 infections. Experts warn that this decision could have devastating consequences, including preterm labor, heart injury, blood clots, and kidney damage.
“This decision bypasses a long-established, evidence-based process used to ensure vaccine safety,” said Sean O’Leary, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases. “It strips families of choice and prevents those who want to vaccinate from getting shots.”
The CDC’s recommendation is crucial because it guides insurance plans on which shots to cover at no cost to patients. Without this guidance, many Americans may struggle to access vaccines, particularly those without insurance.
Health experts fear that Kennedy’s decision will have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations, including low-income communities and minority groups. “This decision could make it significantly harder for millions of Americans to access vaccines they want for themselves and their families,” said Tina Tan, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
As the debate over vaccine mandates continues, experts emphasize the importance of evidence-based decision-making and transparency in public health policy. The scientific community is watching Kennedy’s actions closely, hoping that he will reconsider his stance on Covid-19 vaccines.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/28/healthy-returns-rfk-jr-changes-covid-vaccine-recommendation.html