RFK Jr. cuts COVID-19 vaccine recommendation for healthy kids, pregnant women
Share and Follow

WASHINGTON — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Tuesday announced the removal of the COVID-19 vaccine from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women — a move that could alter guidance for doctors as well as some insurance coverage.

Kennedy, one of the nation’s most publicly recognized vaccine skeptics, made the announcement in a video post on his X account, where he stood between Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary and National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya.

“We’re now one step closer to realizing President Trump’s promise to Make America Healthy Again,” Kennedy said in the video.

The CDC’s immunization schedule is not only a guide for doctors — it also determines insurance coverage for most major private plans and Medicaid expansion programs.

It remains unclear what federal health officials consider “healthy.”

Pregnancy is listed by the CDC as an underlying condition, so women expecting a child would theoretically be eligible for the shot even under the new FDA vaccine framework released last week.

Last week, the FDA announced that it planned to limit access to future COVID-19 shots only to people over 65 years old or those with an underlying health condition.

ABC News has asked HHS for clarity on Tuesday’s announcement.

Kennedy has frequently shared views on vaccines — including the COVID-19 vaccine — that are at odds with the consensus of public health researchers and the mainstream scientific community.

In May 2021, Kennedy asked the federal government to revoke its authorization of all COVID-19 vaccines; in December 2021 he falsely claimed that the COVID-19 vaccine was “the deadliest vaccine ever made.”

Kennedy has also advocated against the recommended vaccine schedule for children.

He has fought for changes through the group he founded, Children’s Health Defense, and last week, he released his “Make America Healthy Again” report, which included calls for increased scrutiny of the childhood vaccine schedule.

Although the report states that vaccines protect children from infectious diseases, it also claims parents are concerned about their “appropriate use” and their “possible role” in chronic diseases among children.

“Despite the growth of the childhood vaccine schedule, there has been limited scientific inquiry into the links between vaccines and chronic disease, the impacts of vaccine injury, and conflicts of interest in the development of the vaccine schedule. These areas warrant future inquiry,” the report states.

Dozens of studies have failed to find a link between an increased number of vaccines and more chronic disease among children.

Earlier this month, Kennedy said during a House hearing that his “opinions about vaccines are irrelevant,” later adding “I don’t think people should be taking advice, medical advice from me.”

Copyright © 2025 ABC News Internet Ventures.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
The Wimbledon WAG causing a stir at SW19:

Controversy Surrounding the Wimbledon Player’s Partner at SW19

All eyes will be on Taylor Fritz this afternoon as he faces…
Arizona resident dies of pneumonic plague

Tragic News: Arizona Resident Passes Away from Pneumonic Plague

() A resident in northern Arizona has died from the pneumonic plague,…
Randy Moss speaks on 'emotional roller coaster' while battling cancer

Randy Moss shares about the ups and downs of dealing with cancer.

One of the greatest wide receivers in the history of the NFL…
Union says farm worker died after ICE raid that uncovered underage laborers

Union says farm worker died after ICE raid that uncovered underage laborers

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Union officials on Friday…
Judge orders Trump administration to halt indiscriminate immigration stops, arrests in California

Court orders Trump administration to stop making arbitrary immigration stops and arrests in California

LOS ANGELES — A federal judge on Friday ordered the Trump administration…
Trump rally shooting survivors turn attack into motivation year later: ‘go out there and live life’

Trump rally shooting survivors turn attack into motivation year later: ‘go out there and live life’

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! PITTSBURGH – A year…
Waycross community mourns teens after tragic lightning strike

Waycross community grieves over teenagers following a devastating lightning accident

“Every time a lightning flash we just think that’s Randall’s picture up…
Yacht catches on fire in St. Tropez port

Fire breaks out on a yacht in St. Tropez harbor

On Thursday, onlookers at Crazy Pizza in upscale St. Tropez, France, were…