In a move that caught much of the medical world off guard, the CDC has stepped back from recommending Covid-19 vaccinations for healthy children and pregnant women.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made the announcement Tuesday, marking a major shift in the federal approach to the virus.
Exactly who qualifies as “healthy” under the new guidance remains unclear. Historically, pregnancy has been listed as a high-risk factor for severe Covid outcomes, with previous CDC guidance urging expectant mothers to get vaccinated. That advice still appeared on the CDC’s website as of Tuesday afternoon.
This change comes shortly after FDA head Dr. Marty Makary said the agency would now focus its vaccine recommendations on high-risk groups, including seniors and people with chronic health issues.
Future Covid vaccines meant for the general population, especially healthy kids and adults, will now have to undergo full clinical trials with placebo groups before being considered for approval.
The FDA recently approved a new version of the Novavax vaccine, but limited its use to older adults and individuals with underlying medical conditions. The agency faced criticism for stalling its authorization.
There are currently no national vaccine mandates in place, but health professionals are worried this shift sends the wrong message. Many experts believe the move could downplay the ongoing risks Covid still poses to vulnerable people, including pregnant women, whose immune systems are more susceptible to respiratory infections.
During the pandemic’s peak, hospitals saw a surge in critically ill pregnant patients battling Covid-related complications like pneumonia.
A study from Brown University released last month found a rise in maternal deaths coinciding with the spread of the virus, reinforcing concerns that pregnancy remains a vulnerable period when it comes to infectious disease.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists pushed back hard against the new recommendation, saying it undermines years of progress in protecting maternal health.
Pediatricians weren’t consulted either. Dr. Sean O’Leary of the American Academy of Pediatrics said HHS made the announcement without any input from their team, calling the lack of communication troubling.
Even though cases and hospitalizations are down, Covid hasn’t gone away.
Experts say the virus is still circulating and poses serious risks for certain groups, even those who’ve had it before.
