CDC Shifts COVID Vaccine Guidance for Kids, Pregnant

The CDC has updated its COVID-19 vaccine guidance for healthy children and pregnant women, moving from a routine recommendation to a more discretionary, shared decision-making approach between patients and healthcare providers. Now, vaccination for these groups is not universally recommended but can still be administered based on individual clinical judgment and parental or patient preference. This policy shift follows an announcement by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that routine recommendations would end, though the CDC's immunization schedule still accommodates vaccination upon request. Insurance coverage for the vaccine may now vary, potentially impacting uptake rates, which are already low among children. The update has drawn mixed reactions from health experts, with concerns for vulnerable groups and support for restoring individual choice. Further CDC recommendations are expected after a panel meeting in June.