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(Washington, DC) – The CDC has stopped recommending the COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant women and healthy children. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shared the news in a video posted to social media.
Today, the COVID vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women has been removed from @CDCgov recommended immunization schedule. Bottom line: it’s common sense and it’s good science. We are now one step closer to realizing @POTUS’s promise to Make America Healthy Again. pic.twitter.com/Ytch2afCLP
— Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) May 27, 2025
Prior to this announcement, everyone over the age of six months was recommended to get the COVID shot. But things have been changing lately, in terms of how federal officials are issuing guidance related to the coronavirus vaccine. For example, the FDA has ordered pharmaceutical companies to expand their COVID shot warning labels. Pfizer and Moderna have been told to let people know about the possible risk of heart inflammation, particularly among young men and teenage boys.
Moderna specifies that type of warning for males ages 18 to 24 in an existing label. Pfizer’s warning label notes risk for boys 12 to 17. Going forward, both will specific risk to boys ages 16 through 25. In 2024, new research flagged this risk. The CDC had previously said potential cardiac side effects were rare and quickly resolved.
The FDA has said it will no longer routinely approve new COVID vaccines. And there are more strict guidelines in place overall. This coming autumn, there may be a new shot approved for people with underlying conditions — but it will not be available for everyone who was previously eligible for boosters. The change more closely aligns with the COVID shot recommendations now in place for Canada, the UK, and Australia.
