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COVID-19

US Removes Covid-19 Vaccine Recommendations for Children and Pregnant Women

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The US Department of Health and Human Services announced that the Covid-19 vaccine is no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. This decision was announced by Robert F Kennedy Jr, who has been a vocal critic of widespread vaccination. The move reverses previous guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which had recommended updated Covid vaccines for everyone aged six months and older. This change aligns with Kennedy's Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US Department of Health and Human Services has removed the Covid-19 vaccine from the CDC's recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women.
  • The World Health Organization only recommends the Covid jab for children who have comorbidities.
  • Studies with hundreds of thousands of people around the world show that being vaccinated for Covid-19 before and during pregnancy is safe, effective, and beneficial to both the pregnant woman and the baby, according to the CDC's website.
  • Pregnant women are deemed to be at high risk from Covid, while young children face a similar risk of hospitalization to older adults.
  • Marty Makary, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner, stated that there was no evidence that healthy children need routine Covid shots.
  • The announcement has faced backlash from medical professionals, with one doctor saying the edict could put pregnant women in danger.
  • The decision goes beyond the recommendations of CDC advisers and puts Robert F Kennedy Jr at odds with officials at the FDA.
  • The FDA has recently said that pregnancy warranted continued eligibility for the vaccine, and has laid out plans to require new clinical trials to approve annual Covid-19 booster jabs for those under 65.

Statistics:

  • The CDC previously recommended updated Covid vaccines for everyone aged six months and older.
  • Studies with hundreds of thousands of people around the world have shown vaccination for Covid-19 to be safe, effective, and beneficial to pregnant women and their babies.
  • Pregnant women are deemed to be at high risk from Covid.
  • Young children face a similar risk of hospitalization to older adults.
  • In the UK, children under the age of 12 are eligible for the Covid-19 jab, but it is only recommended for children with a weakened immune system.
  • The World Health Organization recommends the Covid jab only for children with comorbidities.

Sources:

  • "US removes Covid-19 vaccine recommendation for children and pregnant women" (referencing an announcement by Robert F. Kennedy Jr on X)
  • "Covid-19 vaccines for young children are 'not essential': Study shows" (University of Huddersfield study)
  • "The New York Times: Pregnant women face higher risk of Covid-19 complications"
  • "The FDA's plans to require new clinical trials for annual Covid-19 booster jabs"
  • "CBS News: CDC advisers planning to include pregnant women as eligible for Covid-19 jabs"

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