CDC removes language that says healthy kids and pregnant women should get COVID shots
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revised its recommendations regarding COVID-19 vaccines for children and pregnant women, moving away from a blanket endorsement to a...
- Healthy children between 6 months and 17 years old, along with pregnant women, are no longer automatically advised to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
- This change, reflected in updates to the CDC website, means that while vaccination remains an option, the decision to vaccinate is now a collaborative one between patient and...
CDC Updates COVID Vaccine Guidance for Kids and Pregnant women
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revised its recommendations regarding COVID-19 vaccines for children and pregnant women, moving away from a blanket endorsement to a shared decision-making model.
Healthy children between 6 months and 17 years old, along with pregnant women, are no longer automatically advised to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Rather, the CDC now suggests that parents and pregnant individuals consult with their healthcare providers to determine the best course of action.
This change, reflected in updates to the CDC website, means that while vaccination remains an option, the decision to vaccinate is now a collaborative one between patient and doctor. An HHS spokesperson stated that the previous recommendations for these groups have been removed from the official vaccine schedule, emphasizing the importance of individual consultation with healthcare providers.
The shift was previewed in a video announcement by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kennedy, raising eyebrows due to the absence of CDC officials. The move has stirred debate, particularly given Kennedy’s past as an anti-vaccine advocate.
While this shared decision-making approach ensures that health insurers will still cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccinations,some experts are concerned that it could lead to lower vaccination rates. Data already indicates that only a fraction of children (13%) and adults (23%) have received the latest 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccine.
The American Academy of Pediatrics expressed relief that families can still access the vaccine if they choose, but also voiced “serious concerns” about the process leading to the new recommendation, questioning the federal commitment to ensuring access to critical immunizations.
A CDC advisory panel is scheduled to convene in June to discuss recommendations for the fall COVID-19 shots, with options including prioritizing high-risk groups while still offering the vaccine to others. However, Kennedy’s decision to implement the change before the panel’s review has drawn criticism.
One expert, Schwartz, suggested the new vaccine recommendation changes, their timing and the way there were announced have created confusion that can be “incredibly harmful to the success of vaccination programs.”