WASHINGTON, D.C. – As COVID-19 transmission rates increase across the United States, many Americans are expressing confusion regarding the Trump administration’s latest policies on vaccine access.
Recent statements and actions by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have created uncertainty for individuals seeking vaccination this fall, particularly concerning vaccine availability and insurance coverage.
Secretary Kennedy Jr. has publicly stated that the COVID-19 shot will no longer be recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. Additionally, he has replaced a federal vaccine advisory panel and announced intentions to re-examine the long-established federal childhood vaccine schedule. These developments have left many unsure about the future of vaccine recommendations and accessibility.
Epidemiologist Caitlin Rivers advises Americans who plan to get their annual COVID-19 shot to do so sooner rather than later. “The big drawback is, it is not updated yet; the new formulation will be released closer to autumn,” Rivers noted. However, she emphasized that receiving a shot now would protect against the current summer wave of transmission.
