PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly considering the removal of the COVID-19 vaccine from the recommended vaccine schedule for children.
👥 Who’s Involved: Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon.
📍 Where & When: The information surfaced in a report published by POLITICO on Tuesday.
💬 Key Quote: HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon stated, “No final decision has been made.”
⚠️ Impact: The potential change could alter the public health guidance regarding child vaccinations, though states and local governments set actual school vaccine requirements.
IN FULL:
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly evaluating whether to remove the COVID-19 vaccine from the list of recommended vaccinations for children. A recent report by POLITICO cited anonymous sources said to be privy to the ongoing discussions. While not codified as mandatory, the vaccine was added to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) schedule in 2023.
The CDC’s vaccine schedule aims to guide rather than mandate vaccinations, with decisions about school vaccine mandates falling under state and local jurisdiction. Currently, all 50 states provide medical exemptions from vaccine requirements for school entry.
HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon provided a statement on the matter, indicating that deliberation remains ongoing, and “No final decision has been made.” The potential removal reflects Secretary Kennedy’s concerns over the necessity of COVID-19 vaccination for children. He has previously questioned the need for pediatric COVID-19 vaccination, as children are at minimal risk for severe outcomes from the virus. The timeline for a final decision remains undisclosed.
RFK Jr. blamed the vaccines for causing health issues in children in 2024, including myocarditis, pericarditis, and brain inflammation. He has also stated that there is evidence that COVID-19 vaccines did more harm than good overall.
Last month, it was reported that the CDC would also be examining any potential connection between childhood vaccines and autism. RFK Jr. warns that there has been a lack of rigorous safety studies for 72 childhood vaccinations.