CDC Alters COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations for Healthy Children, Pregnant Women

Washington, D.C. — On May 27, 2025, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced significant changes in COVID-19 vaccination guidelines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will no longer recommend yearly COVID-19 vaccinations for healthy children and pregnant women.

The announcement followed a prior declaration on May 20, which revealed that the CDC will approve new COVID-19 vaccine formulations aimed at preventing severe illness. This change mandates clinical trials to assess effectiveness in low-risk populations, igniting discussions among health professionals.

Kennedy, joined by National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, attributed the removal of the vaccine recommendation for healthy children to a lack of evidence supporting its necessity. However, they did not clarify the decision impacting pregnant people, who had historically been classified as high-risk for severe COVID-19.

In a statement from the FDA, Makary emphasized that the agency’s new policy direction aligns with emerging public health trends, focusing primarily on high-risk individuals rather than a universal vaccination approach. This shift has generated concern among healthcare professionals, who argue it contradicts existing studies that underline the benefits of vaccination for children and pregnant individuals.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reiterated the critical role of COVID-19 vaccinations during pregnancy to protect newborns from potential risks. Additionally, there was a notable uptick in pediatric hospitalizations related to COVID-19 during the 2024-2025 respiratory virus season, supporting the case for ongoing vaccination.

Experts point out that Kennedy’s recent announcement came just weeks prior to a scheduled meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which traditionally assists the CDC in shaping vaccination policies. It’s not common for the CDC to modify its recommendations without input from ACIP.

The FDA typically makes vaccine recommendations based on safety and efficiency findings by advisory committees. While the CDC’s latest guidance appears to exclude low-risk populations, the FDA document indicates that around 100 to 200 million individuals remain eligible for annual vaccinations under new guidelines.

Research underscores the importance of vaccination for pregnant individuals, given its potential to reduce risks of severe illness and adverse pregnancy outcomes. A study released in May 2025 linked pre-pregnancy COVID-19 infections to significant risks, despite earlier analyses not establishing a direct causative relationship to early pregnancy loss.

Kennedy’s policy changes notably omit high-risk groups interacting regularly with healthy individuals, raising concerns about community health where vaccination rates vary. However, pediatric patients aged 6 months and older with pre-existing conditions that elevate their COVID-19 risk will still qualify for vaccine doses.

As the debate continues, many question how these shifts will impact public access to COVID-19 vaccinations. Current data exploring the benefits of annual COVID-19 vaccines for children remains inconclusive, complicating decisions for healthcare providers and parents.

Although Kennedy’s announcement does not comprehensively address healthy adults, it hints at potential challenges for those seeking fall COVID-19 vaccines under the new regulatory framework, especially given the insurance coverage typically tied to FDA guidelines. Plans from Medicare and Medicaid usually cover CDC-endorsed vaccines, making the recent changes likely to affect overall accessibility and insurance support for COVID-19 vaccinations.

In summary, while the new focus on individualized risk management may seem prudent, public health experts warn it might undermine the broader population immunity crucial to controlling the pandemic.