Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made headlines this week after claiming the federal government has dropped its recommendation for routine COVID-19 vaccination among children and pregnant women. But federal health officials say the situation isn’t as simple as Kennedy suggests.
Speaking at a campaign stop in Phoenix on Tuesday, RFK Jr. told a crowd of supporters that his efforts and growing public pressure had led to what he called a “major health freedom victory.”
“For the first time since 2021, the U.S. government is no longer recommending COVID-19 shots for children and pregnant women,” Kennedy said to loud applause. “That’s a win for informed consent, for science, and for every American family.”
The remarks sparked immediate controversy, drawing both praise from vaccine-skeptical communities and pushback from public health experts.
CDC Responds: Vaccine Guidance Is More Nuanced
While there has been a recent update to the CDC’s vaccine guidance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not completely removed recommendations for these groups. Instead, officials say the recommendations have been refined based on evolving data and risk levels.
“We have adjusted our approach to focus on individuals most at risk of severe illness from COVID-19,” said CDC spokesperson Dr. Melanie Cobb. “That includes older adults, people with underlying health conditions, and yes in some cases, children and pregnant individuals.”
The CDC’s website still recommends COVID-19 vaccination for certain pregnant individuals and children based on clinical factors and regional outbreaks. The new guidance emphasizes consulting healthcare providers for personalized recommendations rather than a blanket public mandate.
Critics argue that Kennedy is oversimplifying the issue for political gain. As a longtime critic of vaccine mandates and pharmaceutical influence, RFK Jr. has built a base among voters skeptical of public health messaging especially after years of COVID-19 uncertainty.
“This is vintage RFK Jr.,” said Dr. Henry Lutz, a professor of public health at NYU. “He’s taking a nuanced change and spinning it into a blanket policy reversal. That’s misleading and dangerous.”
However, Kennedy’s supporters say his statements reflect what many Americans have been demanding a move away from one-size-fits-all public health policy.
“Parents want choice. Pregnant women want choice,” said Shannon Pike, a mother and RFK campaign volunteer in Florida. “This isn’t about politics. It’s about freedom.”
As COVID-19 cases remain low across much of the U.S., many federal and state agencies are shifting toward a long-term management strategy. Seasonal updates to guidance are likely to continue as part of a broader post-pandemic approach.
Still, public health experts caution that political framing of scientific updates could distort public understanding.
“We’re in a better place today because of vaccines,” Dr. Cobb emphasized. “But recommendations evolve that’s science, not surrender.”
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