Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday that the COVID-19 vaccine was removed from the recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women.

Kennedy was flanked by FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary and National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya when he said he “couldn’t be more pleased to make the announcement.” This comes years after Kennedy founded the Children’s Health Defense, which challenges vaccination among children amid scrutiny of side effects.

“Last year, the Biden administration urged healthy children to get yet another COVID shot despite the lack of any clinical data to support the repeat booster strategy in children,” Kennedy said. “Now we’re one step closer to realizing President Trump’s promise to make America healthy again.”

Today, the COVID vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women has been removed from @CDCgov recommended immunization schedule. Bottom line: it’s common sense and it’s good science. We are now one step closer to realizing @POTUS’s promise to Make America Healthy Again. pic.twitter.com/Ytch2afCLP

— Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy)

May 27, 2025

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends an immunization schedule, which tends to become an enrollment requirement for public schools across the United States. Many universities required that their students receive the initial COVID-19 vaccine before returning to campus during the pandemic.

“There’s no evidence healthy kids need it today,” Makary said. “Most countries have stopped recommending it for children.”

Earlier this month, Makary announced the FDA will no longer approve COVID-19 booster shots for healthy adults and children until new clinical trials have proven them safe and effective. Randomized controlled clinical trials will need to happen each season for those between 6 months and 64 years old.

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According to the CDC, only 13% of children were reported to have the 2024-2025 booster. Among pregnant women, 14% had the latest booster.

The Senate investigations subcommittee released a report that concluded federal health agencies knew about the risks of myocarditis following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination but concealed them from the public. At the time, the CDC considered putting out an announcement on the Health Alert Network regarding this specific heart condition that developed in vaccinated patients but ultimately decided against it.