CDC COVID Vaccine Kids: Updated Guidance
- Following a claim by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.
- The CDC's website now states that healthy children aged 6 months too 17 years "may receive COVID-19 vaccination, informed by the clinical judgment of a health care...
- This "shared clinical decision-making recommendation" approach has been used by the agency for other vaccines.
React swiftly: The CDC has modified its COVID-19 vaccine guidance for children following a statement by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. While Kennedy claimed the agency would halt vaccine recommendations for healthy children, the CDC has instead adjusted its stance. The updated guidance,effective May 29,suggests that children aged 6 months to 17 years may receive COVID-19 vaccination,informed by their healthcare provider and personal preference. News Directory 3 offers detailed coverage of this shift to a shared clinical decision-making approach, similar to other vaccines. Experts debate whether this change will impact vaccination rates. The CDC is expected to clarify its recommendations soon. Discover what’s next for COVID-19 vaccination guidelines for children and pregnant women.
CDC Tweaks COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendation for Children after Kennedy Declaration
Updated May 31, 2025
Following a claim by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Centers for Disease Control and prevention modified its guidance on COVID-19 vaccination for children. Kennedy stated the agency would cease recommending the shots for healthy children and pregnant
women. However, the CDC adjusted, but did not remove, its recommendation.
The CDC’s website now states that healthy children aged 6 months too 17 years “may receive COVID-19 vaccination, informed by the clinical judgment of a health
care provider and personal preference and circumstances.” This update, posted May 29, replaces the previous recommendation of routine COVID-19 vaccination for this age group.
The CDC will continue to recommend COVID-19 vaccination for children. Image: Adobe Stock
This ”shared clinical decision-making recommendation” approach has been used by the agency for other vaccines. It suggests patients “may receive” a vaccine rather
than “should receive” it, often based on advice from vaccine advisors.
The CDC indicates that vaccines under this shared decision-making model should be fully covered by health insurance,similar to other vaccines,when adopted by
the CDC and included on immunization schedules. Though, some experts worry that such recommendations could decrease vaccination rates and complicate vaccine
governance.
Kennedy announced in a video that the CDC would discontinue recommending COVID-19 shots for healthy children and pregnant women,
citing a lack of supporting evidence. This contradicts scientific evidence that demonstrates the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness in these groups.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) expressed relief that COVID-19 vaccines remain on the childhood immunization schedule but criticized the process of the
update. AAP President Susan Kressly, MD, said the “deeply flawed process” raises concerns about the stability of the nation’s immunization infrastructure.
“american families deserve better. They deserve clear messages from all involved in their health that are based on facts so they can continue to benefit from
the success story of vaccines.”Susan Kressly, MD, AAP President
What’s next
the CDC is expected to provide further clarification on its COVID-19 vaccination recommendations in the coming weeks, addressing
concerns raised by the AAP and other health organizations.