epocrates

CDC says healthy children may receive COVID vaccines, recommends shared decision-making approach

May 31, 2025

The CDC's latest guidance for the COVID-19 vaccine--published on May 29--continues to include the COVID-19 vaccination for children ages 6 months to 18 years, despite remarks days earlier from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. that the vaccine would no longer be routinely recommended for children and pregnant women.

The latest CDC immunization schedule for healthy children notes that COVID immunization falls under the category of "shared clinical decision-making vaccinations", which are "individually based and informed by a decision process between the health care provider and the patient or parent/guardian. Where the parent presents with a desire for their child to be vaccinated, children 6 months and older may receive COVID-19 vaccination, informed by the clinical judgment of a healthcare provider and personal preference and circumstances."

Health policy experts say that the changes to the CDC’s recommendations for children suggest that health insurance companies are still ostensibly required to cover COVID immunizations, at least for now.

Although the latest CDC language clarifies CDC recommendations for healthy children older than 6 months, as of May 30th there's no formal updated recommendation for healthy pregnant patients. The vaccine was previously recommended for all pregnant individuals.

Sources:

CDC. (2025, May 29). Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule by Age. Recommendations for Ages 18 Years or Younger, United States, 2025. Health Care Providers. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-schedules/child-adolescent-age.html

CDC. (2025, May 29). Adult Immunization Schedule by Age. Recommendations for Ages 19 Years or Older, United States, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-schedules/adult-age.html

Stobbe, Mike. (2025, May 30). MSN. The Associated Press. CDC removes language that says healthy kids and pregnant women should get COVID shots. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/cdc-removes-language-that-says-healthy-kids-and-pregnant-women-should-get-covid-shots/ar-AA1FN7lO

O'Connell-Domenech, Alejandra. (2025, May 30). The Hill. CDC adjusts COVID vaccine guidance, but keeps on child schedule. https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5326407-cdc-updates-covid-19-vaccine-guidelines/

Tin, Alexander. (2025, May 30). CBS News. CDC now says kids "may receive" COVID-19 vaccines, replacing broad recommendation. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-kids-covid-19-vaccine-recommendation/