CDC Reverses Course on COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Pregnant Women

CDC Changes COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance: A Major Policy Shift The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced a significant shift in its COVID-19 vaccination recommendations. In a surprising move, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that the CDC will no longer recommend COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women. This decision, announced on May 27th, 2025, was made in collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner and the head of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Notably, no representatives from the CDC were present during the announcement. "The new policy jumps ahead of a planned meeting next month by a CDC panel to address shots for the fall," reported a PBS News correspondent. The decision also follows a recent FDA mandate requiring new data before approving booster shots for healthy adults and children. This rapid policy change raises questions about the future of COVID-19 vaccination strategies in the United States. The absence of CDC officials from the announcement adds another layer of complexity. The implications of this decision are far-reaching, potentially affecting how doctors counsel their patients and how insurers cover COVID-19 vaccinations. The coming weeks will be critical in observing the effects of this policy change and the subsequent response from healthcare professionals and the public.