RFK Jr.’s HHS to Drop Routine COVID Vaccine Guidance for Kids, Pregnant Women

The Trump administration, with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the helm of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is poised to reshape federal health policy by ending routine COVID-19 vaccination recommendations for children and pregnant women. This move signals a sharp departure from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, which currently urges vaccination for everyone aged six months and older.

The decision reflects growing skepticism about blanket vaccine mandates, especially as uptake remains low—only 13% of children and 14% of pregnant women have received the latest booster, per recent CDC data. Under Kennedy’s leadership, HHS appears ready to prioritize targeted vaccination strategies over one-size-fits-all approaches, aligning with a broader push for scientific rigor in vaccine approvals, as emphasized by FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary.

This policy shift challenges the legacy of Operation Warp Speed, a cornerstone of Trump’s first term, and raises questions about future insurance coverage for COVID shots. Critics warn it could weaken vaccination efforts, particularly for immunocompromised groups, while supporters argue it grounds policy in common sense and evolving science.