The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is ending its recommendations for routine COVID-19 vaccinations for pregnant women and healthy children. U.S. health officials confirmed this new way forward this week.
The US Drops COVID Vaccine for Healthy Kids, Pregnant Women
In a video posted to social media, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that healthy children and pregnant women are no longer included in the CDC’s official immunization schedule. This marks a major shift from previous guidance. Up until now, the updated COVID-19 vaccine was recommended for everyone aged six months and older.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Marty Makary stated in the video that there is no strong evidence to support routine COVID vaccinations for healthy children. He says that most other countries have already stopped recommending them for kids.
“With the COVID-19 pandemic behind us, it’s time to move forward,” said the Department of Health and Human Services in an official statement.
This policy update follows a recent FDA announcement that it will now require new clinical trials before approving annual COVID-19 booster shots for healthy Americans under age 65. This move is expected to limit boosters primarily to older adults and individuals with higher risk of severe illness.
