Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent changes to COVID-19 vaccine recommendations have created uncertainty about insurance coverage for the shots. The CDC now recommends vaccines only for certain age groups and those with underlying health conditions.
Most private health plans are required by law to cover recommended vaccines, but the new guidelines from different HHS agencies might result in some plans declining to pay for certain categories of people. Experts warn that this could lead to increased costs for those who don’t qualify for free coverage.
Pregnant women and healthy children 6 months old and older may be eligible for the vaccine, but Kennedy’s recommendations are not yet aligned with CDC guidelines. In some cases, parents might need to pay out-of-pocket for their child’s vaccination.
Pharmacists’ authority to administer vaccines also depends on state rules, which could create a speed bump in some areas. Medical professionals say that these changes may make it harder to convince people they need annual COVID-19 shots and further depress the uptake of the vaccine.
Source: https://www.dailybreeze.com/2025/08/18/senior-living-sorting-out-covid-19-vaccine-confusion-amid-new-conflicting-federal-policies