Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s newly announced recommendations and restrictions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine left more questions than answers -- and raised significant concerns for individuals of any age, healthy or not.
In a 58-second video Tuesday, Kennedy said HHS would no longer include the COVID-19 vaccine on the recommended immunization schedule for healthy pregnant women and healthy children. The decision came without Kennedy providing context or factual basis, without independent expertise, and without the knowledge of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials.
And it came just as a new, more infectious -- though so far not more severe -- COVID-19 variant has begun to spread across the U.S.
Kennedy's decision is disconcerting after the Food and Drug Administration unveiled a broader effort last week to limit COVID-19 booster approvals to those 65 and older and others with significant health conditions. It's unclear how such changes will work in practice. But they spark legitimate fears as to whether the vaccine will be available for all who want it, whether supply will be sufficient, whether doctors and pharmacists will reject some seeking the vaccine, and whether insurance companies will cover the shots.
Kennedy's wording has created reasonable worries that healthy adults and children, including those living with elderly or immunocompromised family members, or those with other reasons for choosing vaccination, might not be allowed to decide for themselves what's best for their health.
What happened to "My Body, My Choice," the catchphrase used by those who oppose vaccines and vaccine mandates?
The changes also could impact future vaccine development. A day after the FDA decision, Moderna announced that "in consultation with the FDA" it was withdrawing its application with the agency for a combination flu-COVID vaccine intended for those 50 and older, pending additional studies. Earlier this year, the FDA canceled an independent advisory committee meeting regarding plans for next year's flu vaccine, instead relying on a group of government physicians working for HHS and other agencies.
Kennedy said Tuesday that removing the vaccine from immunization schedules for healthy pregnant women and children was "one step closer to realizing President [Donald] Trump's promise to Make America Healthy Again." Such a statement wrongly suggests the COVID-19 vaccine -- developed during Trump's first term -- makes people less healthy.
Restricting the number of people who can or should be vaccinated, without scientific supporting evidence, and suggesting such restrictions make America "healthy," will undermine efforts to promote vaccination and sow distrust even among those still welcome to take the shot. When it's harder or more expensive to access a vaccine, far fewer people -- including those who might need it -- will get it. Could all of that limit a new COVID-19 booster's reach or make the broader population more vulnerable to a larger COVID outbreak, especially from more virulent strains? Could these decisions impact other vaccines for other pandemic-type illnesses?