U.S. Well being and Human Providers Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Tuesday introduced that COVID-19 vaccinations are not really useful for wholesome youngsters and pregnant girls.
In a 58-second video posted on the social media website X, Kennedy stated he eliminated COVID-19 pictures from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention’s suggestions for these teams. Nobody from the CDC was within the video, and CDC officers referred questions in regards to the announcement to Kennedy and the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Providers.
U.S. well being officers, following suggestions from infectious illness consultants, have been urging annual COVID-19 boosters for all People ages 6 months and older.
The choice was blasted by the Illinois-based American Academy of Pediatrics.
“This resolution bypasses a long-established, evidence-based course of used to make sure vaccine security and ignores the experience of impartial medical consultants, together with members of CDC committees who’re analyzing the proof relating to the vaccine to make suggestions for the autumn,” Dr. Sean O’Leary, chair of the AAP Committee on Infectious Illnesses, stated in an announcement.
“By eradicating the advice, the choice may strip households of alternative. Those that wish to vaccinate might not have the ability to, because the implications for insurance coverage protection stay unclear. It’s additionally unclear whether or not well being care employees could be eligible to be vaccinated.”
O’Leary laid out the dangers: “Pregnant girls, infants and younger youngsters are at larger danger of hospitalization from COVID, and the protection of the COVID vaccine has been broadly demonstrated.”
In an announcement to the Solar-Occasions, a CVS Well being spokesperson stated the pharmacy chain, the place folks traditionally have been capable of get vaccinated, follows “federal steerage relating to vaccine administration and are monitoring any adjustments that the federal government (FDA, CDC, ACIP, and so on.) might make.”
A CDC advisory panel is about to meets in June to make suggestions in regards to the fall pictures. Amongst its choices are suggesting pictures for high-risk teams however nonetheless giving lower-risk folks the selection to get vaccinated.
However Kennedy, a number one anti-vaccination advocate earlier than turning into HHS secretary, determined to not wait. He stated that annual COVID-19 booster pictures have been really useful for youths “regardless of the shortage of any scientific knowledge” to help that call.
Meals and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary and Dr. Jay Battacharya, head of the Nationwide Institutes of Well being, appeared within the video with Kennedy.
Kennedy and different Trump administration appointees have been transferring to slender COVID-19 vaccine suggestions and added restrictions to a current vaccine approval. Final week, the FDA introduced routine COVID-19 vaccine approvals will probably be restricted to older adults and youthful folks with underlying medical dangers, pending new analysis for wholesome adults and kids.
HHS officers didn’t instantly reply to questions on why Kennedy determined to take the step now or launch extra details about what went into the choice.
