RFK Jr. Reverses COVID Vaccine Advice for Healthy Kids and Expecting Parents

Before taking office as U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was known for his role in Children’s Health Defense, where he promoted skepticism around the COVID-19 vaccines. His organization often leveraged misleading information and conspiracy theories to foster distrust. Kennedy controversially declared that doctors administering vaccines to children should face imprisonment, labeling such acts as “criminal medical malpractice” during a 2021 conference.

On Tuesday, Kennedy altered federal vaccine guidelines, stating that healthy children and pregnant individuals no longer require the COVID-19 vaccine. However, he did not provide justification for this decision in his announcement video.

“I’m pleased to announce that as of today, the COVID vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women has been removed from the CDC’s recommended immunization schedule,” Kennedy stated. He also criticized past recommendations from the Biden administration for healthy children to receive repeated shots without sufficient clinical data.

Support came from National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Martin A. Makary, who endorsed the decision in the video but did not cite new research supporting the change.

Concerns quickly emerged from public health organizations regarding Kennedy’s announcement. Dr. Steven J. Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, expressed disappointment, emphasizing the risks of COVID-19 during pregnancy and the vaccine’s protective benefits for mothers and newborns.

Dr. Sean O’Leary from the American Academy of Pediatrics criticized the move, stating it undermines established vaccine safety protocols and could restrict families’ options regarding vaccination.

Former Surgeon General Jerome Adams also weighed in, arguing that the decision disregards public health evidence and limits personal choice regarding vaccination. He emphasized the need for a balanced approach that respects informed decision-making.

The American Public Health Association echoed these sentiments, highlighting that vaccines provide essential protection against severe COVID-19 symptoms. They warned this policy change could lead to preventable risks for children and pregnant women.

In a statement, an HHS press secretary indicated that the policy reflects a shift in focus post-pandemic. “It is time to move forward,” the spokesperson said, reaffirming commitment to science and public health.