HHS Secretary Considers Removing COVID-19 Vaccine from Childhood Schedule

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is considering removing the COVID-19 vaccine from the CDC’s recommended childhood immunization schedule, a move that would mark a significant policy shift and reflect ongoing debates about vaccine efficacy and safety. Kennedy has argued that the benefits of vaccinating children against COVID-19 are limited, especially given the low risk the virus poses to most children without underlying health conditions. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary publicly supported the potential change, stating that many Americans would welcome it, while emphasizing that vaccines in general save lives. Public health experts have raised concerns that such a removal could undermine confidence in vaccines more broadly, even though current CDC data shows low uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine among children. The CDC’s advisory committee is also considering adjusting its approach to COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for children from universal to risk-based. No final decision has yet been made, but the outcome could have far-reaching implications for public health policy and pediatric vaccination practices.