On May 27, 2025, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that federal health agencies would no longer recommend COVID-19 vaccinations for healthy children and pregnant women.
This decision was conveyed through a social media video featuring Kennedy alongside FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya and represents a significant departure from previous public health guidance. Kennedy cited concerns over insufficient clinical data supporting vaccine safety and efficacy in these populations as the rationale for the policy shift.
The announcement has elicited strong reactions from the medical and scientific communities. Organizations such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) continue to advocate for COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, emphasizing the increased risks that COVID-19 poses to pregnant individuals and their infants. These groups highlight that immunization can protect both the mother and the baby, with studies indicating that maternal vaccination builds antibodies that can help protect the baby.
Despite Kennedy’s announcement, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not yet updated its official recommendations, which still endorse COVID-19 vaccinations for individuals six months and older, including pregnant women. This discrepancy has led to confusion among health care providers and the public. Critics argue that Kennedy’s unilateral decision bypassed the traditional advisory process involving the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, raising concerns about the transparency and scientific basis of the policy change.
The implications of removing these groups from the recommended immunization schedule are significant. Insurance and programs like the Vaccines for Children program typically cover vaccines included in the CDC’s schedule. Without official recommendations, there is concern that pregnant women and healthy children may face barriers to accessing COVID-19 vaccines, potentially leading to decreased vaccination rates and increased vulnerability to the virus.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a long history of vaccine skepticism. He founded Children’s Health Defense, an organization known for promoting vaccine misinformation, and has made statements questioning the safety and efficacy of vaccines, including the debunked claim that vaccines cause autism. His appointment as Health and Human Services Secretary has been controversial, with critics arguing that his views on vaccines are not supported by scientific evidence and could harm public health.
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to meet in June to issue updated recommendations. Public health experts hope that the committee will reaffirm the importance of COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women and children, based on the substantial body of evidence supporting vaccine safety and efficacy in these populations.
As the situation evolves, health care providers and public health officials emphasize the need for clear, evidence-based guidance to ensure that vulnerable populations are protected against COVID-19.
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
