Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is considering removing the COVID-19 jab from the CDC’s recommended childhood immunization schedule, POLITICO reports.

The outlet said the directive would be the “most significant move yet to shake up the nation’s vaccination practices.”

Exclusive: RFK Jr. may pull the Covid-19 shot recommendation for kids, the Health secretary's biggest move yet to shake up the nation’s vaccination practices. https://t.co/Lw5CW9FWGH

— POLITICO (@politico) April 22, 2025

From POLITICO:

Eliminating the vaccine from the CDC schedule would not bar kids from receiving it. But the change would represent an extraordinary intervention by Kennedy to override the agency’s scientific decision-making and reverse a recommendation backed by the CDC and a slate of independent advisers just three years ago.

The removal would also likely influence vaccination procedures across the nation. Pediatricians rely on the CDC schedule to determine which vaccines they should give children and when to administer them, in order to protect against a range of common infectious diseases.

The schedule is also closely watched by insurers in deciding which vaccines to cover, as well as states and localities that determine which vaccines schools require for students — though no states currently mandate the Covid shot.

The specifics of the removal are still under discussion and could change, said the two people, who were granted anonymity to discuss private deliberations.

News: RFK Jr. is weighing pulling the Covid vaccine from the CDC's list of recommended immunizations for children, per two ppl familiar.

RFK and allies see it as a justified move. But if finalized, it would represent an extraordinary intervention in CDC scientific decisionmaking

— Adam Cancryn (@adamcancryn) April 22, 2025

“No final decision has been made,” HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said, according to POLITICO.

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From Politico:
“HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is weighing pulling the Covid-19 vaccine from the government’s list of recommended immunizations for children, two people familiar with the discussions told POLITICO.
The directive under consideration would remove the… pic.twitter.com/YBAm5AbkPV

— Dr. Kat Lindley (@KLVeritas) April 22, 2025

Per CNN:

The US Centers and Disease Control and Prevention is considering recommending annual Covid-19 shots to those who are older or who have compromised immune function, rather than the current blanket recommendation for everyone 6 months of age and older.

The change would more closely align the US with guidance given in other countries. Unlike countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, the US alone recommends an annual Covid-19 vaccine for healthy younger adults and children. The World Health Organization also doesn’t routinely recommend annual Covid-19 vaccines for healthy adults under 65 or healthy children.

On Tuesday, a panel of independent experts that advises the CDC on its vaccine recommendations, called the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, weighed the pros and cons of moving the US away from a blanket recommendation that most people get an updated Covid-19 shot every year and toward a more nuanced, risk-based recommendation.

Members of the Covid-19 vaccine work group said they began studying the policy change in November.

Under a risk-based recommendation, the CDC would continue to recommend two doses of Covid-19 vaccines each year for older adults — those over 65 — and to anyone with weakened immune function.