RFK Jr. Axes COVID Vaccines For Pregnant Women, Healthy Kids

Published: Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 12:26 pm

RFK Jr. Shakes Up COVID Vaccine Recommendations, Raising Concerns

In a move that has sparked controversy, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Tuesday that COVID-19 vaccines would no longer be recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. The announcement, made via a video on X (formerly Twitter), featured National Institute of Health Director Dr. Jay Bhattarchaya and Food and Drug Administration head Dr. Marty Makary. Notably absent were representatives from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the agency typically responsible for vaccine recommendations.

This decision has raised eyebrows among medical professionals, who are concerned about the lack of transparency and the bypassing of established CDC and FDA protocols. The move comes amid the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant, B.1.8.1, and a week after Dr. Makary co-authored an article highlighting pregnancy as a potential risk factor for severe COVID-19.

Medical experts point to data showing that even healthy children can experience serious illness and death from COVID-19. A report analyzing 183 pediatric COVID-19 deaths revealed that 32% of the children had no underlying medical conditions. Concerns also exist regarding the potential for Long COVID symptoms, including heart inflammation, in children who have contracted the virus.

Critics, including Public Citizen Research Director Dr. Robert Steinbrook, have condemned Kennedy's decision, citing his previous testimony that he wouldn't alter the vaccine schedule and questioning his qualifications for the role.

BNN's Perspective: While the concerns of those who question the safety of vaccines are valid, this decision seems to have been made without proper scientific process and transparency. The potential risks to vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and children, warrant careful consideration and adherence to established medical guidelines. A more collaborative approach, involving the CDC and other relevant experts, would have been more prudent.

Keywords: RFK Jr., Robert F. Kennedy Jr., COVID-19 vaccines, pregnant women, healthy children, vaccine recommendations, CDC, FDA, Dr. Jay Bhattarchaya, Dr. Marty Makary, B.1.8.1 variant, Long COVID, myocarditis, vaccine safety, public health, HHS Secretary, vaccine schedule, medical experts, health policy.

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