Kennedy ends COVID vaccine advice for healthy kids and pregnant women.

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced that COVID-19 vaccines will no longer be recommended for healthy children and pregnant women — a move that has sparked sharp criticism from public health experts.

In a short video posted on social media, Kennedy said he had removed the groups from the CDC's official guidance. However, no CDC officials appeared in the video, and no scientific data or detailed explanation accompanied the announcement. The Department of Health and Human Services has not yet commented on how the decision was made.

Health professionals expressed concern over the abrupt change, which bypasses the usual scientific review process

The CDC has been recommending annual COVID boosters for nearly all age groups. Experts have been discussing the possibility of narrowing that to high-risk groups, but the official advisory panel has not yet made a formal decision. That panel is expected to meet in June.

Kennedy, once known for his anti-vaccine stance, has made several policy changes since taking office under President Trump. Last week, the FDA also introduced new limits, approving routine COVID vaccines only for seniors and people with medical risks — not healthy adults or children.

Doctors warn the latest decision could lead to confusion and reduced vaccine access, especially for those still at risk. They also pushed back on the idea that pregnancy is not a risk factor for COVID. "That is simply incorrect," said Dr. Sean O’Leary of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Medical experts maintain that vaccines remain a crucial tool for protecting both pregnant women and young children, especially as the virus continues to circulate.

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