Archive · 1 Jun 2025
CDC Adjusts COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations for Kids, Pregnant
The CDC has changed its advice about COVID-19 vaccines for kids.
Now, parents can choose to have their children (6 months and older) vaccinated, but it's not a strong recommendation for everyone.
This change comes after a government official reviewed the vaccine recommendations.
The official raised concerns about the vaccine's safety and benefits for healthy kids and pregnant women.
The CDC used to recommend vaccines for pregnant women, but now they don't give specific guidance, although some pages suggest it is beneficial.
This change affects health insurance, which will still cover the vaccines for children.
The CDC still recommends vaccines for kids with health problems.
The CDC now allows children aged 6 months and older to receive COVID-19 vaccines, based on shared clinical decision-making.
This guidance follows a directive from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Kennedy's directive cited concerns about the safety and benefits of mRNA vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women.
The CDC has removed its previous recommendation for all pregnant women to get vaccinated.
The CDC continues to recommend COVID-19 vaccines for moderately or severely immunocompromised children.
- Who
- CDC, parents, healthcare providers, children and pregnant women
- What
- Changed COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant women.
- When
- Recently
- Where
- United States
- Why
- Based on clinical judgment, and following a directive from the HHS Secretary
Kennedy's stance
CDC stance before directive
Vaccination
Kennedy's stance
All pregnant women and healthy children should get vaccinated against COVID-19.
CDC stance before directive
Healthy children and pregnant women may not need COVID-19 vaccines, as the risks may outweigh the benefits.
- Age Group
- Children aged 6 months and older
- Recommendation Basis
- Shared clinical decision-making
- HHS Secretary
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- Pregnancy Vaccine Recommendation
- No Guidance/Not Applicable
- Ongoing Recommendations
- Older adults and younger children with risk factors