Routine COVID shots for children and pregnant women will be abandoned under plans being prepared by the Department for Health and Human Services (HHS), under Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Sources “familiar with the matter” claim HHS is preparing to remove its recommendation at the same time as it launches a new framework for the approval of vaccines.
Emergency-use authorizations were granted for Moderna, and Pfizer’s mRNA COVID shots for children as young as six months, with full approvals for children aged 12 and older.
In addition to changing its vaccine recommendations, the FDA is also planning to roll out a new framework for vaccine approvals next week, according to Commissioner Marty Makary.
Although the Commissioner didn’t give details, he suggested vaccine companies might be required to submit more data to the FDA.
“We want to see vaccines that are available for high-risk individuals,” Makary told reporters.
“And at the same time, we want some good science. We want some good clinical data.”
Makary also said that, in a personal capacity, he would not recommend for “young, healthy children” to receive a COVID shot.
“Separate from my role as a regulator at the FDA, I am not encouraging or insisting young, healthy children to get a Covid shot unless there is new evidence that emerges that suggests there is a clear benefit.”
Fewer people, including children, are now choosing to take COVID-19 shots. As of April, according to the CDC about 13% of children and 14% of pregnant women had received the most recent Covid shot.
Early in his tenure as Secretary of Health and Human Services, RFK Jr halted a multi-million-dollar contract from the Biden presidency to develop a new COVID vaccine.
RFK Jr issued a 90-day pause just as 10,000 people were due to undergo clinical trials.