Health advocates are expressing serious concerns over Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent decision to remove covid-19 booster shots from the recommended immunization schedule. This move, described as unprecedented and unilateral, has raised questions about patient access to crucial vaccines.

The inclusion of a vaccine on the recommended schedule is pivotal because many private health insurance plans base their coverage decisions on this schedule. Any alteration could directly impact whether individuals can afford and access these vital immunizations.

the Devastating Impact of COVID-19 on Pregnancy

The potential consequences of this decision are particularly alarming given the known risks of Covid-19 during pregnancy.Dr. Amanda Williams, interim chief medical officer at March of Dimes, shared a poignant personal experience:

“Covid-19’s impact on pregnancy is deeply personal to me. During the height of the pandemic, I cared for a healthy patient who was 32 weeks pregnant and tragically died from Covid-19 despite state-of-the-art medical care.one of her last words was that she wished she had taken the vaccine.”

Dr. Amanda Williams, March of Dimes

Expert Organizations Reaffirm Vaccine Safety

Leading medical organizations are standing firm in their recommendations for Covid-19 vaccination during pregnancy. The society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM), experts in high-risk pregnancies, stated that it strongly reaffirms its recommendation that pregnant patients receive the Covid-19 vaccine, emphasizing its safety at any stage of pregnancy.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) also expressed its concern and disappointment. Dr. Steven J. Fleischman, ACOG president, stated:

“We also understand that despite the change in recommendations from [health and human services], the science has not changed. It is very clear that Covid-19 infection during pregnancy can be catastrophic and lead to major disability, and it can cause devastating consequences for families.”

Dr. Steven J. Fleischman, ACOG President

Unconventional Proclamation and Bypassed Protocols

Kennedy’s announcement was made via social media, accompanied by Trump administration appointees to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This approach deviates from standard protocol, as these individuals are not typically involved in such decisions.

Traditionally, changes to the recommended vaccine schedule undergo rigorous review and public discussion, culminating in recommendations from an independent panel of experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) advisory committee on immunization practices. Sources told STAT that Kennedy’s announcement bypassed both the CDC and its advisory panel, neither of which were consulted beforehand. The CDC is currently without a permanent director.

FDA Advisory Committee Also Bypassed

A directive making the change official, also reported by STAT, suggested that Kennedy reviewed the evidence with the FDA. However, the FDA’s advisory committee, which mirrors the CDC’s structure, was also bypassed in this decision-making process.

Adding to the controversy, Dr. Marty Makary, head of the FDA, published an article in the New England Journal of Medicine just a week prior, listing pregnancy and recent pregnancy as “underlying medical conditions that can increase a person’s risk of severe Covid-19”.

CDC Continues to Highlight Risks

As of Tuesday, the CDC’s website still emphasizes that pregnant individuals face a heightened risk of severe illness from Covid-19, including increased hospitalization and intensive care needs. Furthermore, vaccination during pregnancy provides protective immunity to infants, mitigating the risks associated with Covid-19 infection during pregnancy.

Infants under six months are particularly vulnerable to severe disease, with risks comparable to those of adults aged 50-64, according to the New England Journal of Medicine article.

Criticism and Calls for Accountability

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from public health advocates. Dr. Robert Steinbrook, research director at Public Citizen, stated:

“Kennedy’s unilateral decision to change the CDC’s recommended immunization schedule for Covid-19 vaccines demonstrates once again why he is completely unqualified to be the HHS secretary. In Congressional testimony on May 14, Kennedy said, ‘I don’t think people should be taking medical advice from me.’ Yet two weeks later he is making arbitrary public health decisions, defying norms, and with no accountability.”

Dr. Robert Steinbrook, Public Citizen

Vaccination Rates and Anti-Vaccine Sentiment

Despite the known risks, vaccination rates among pregnant individuals remain low. CDC data indicates that only about 14% of pregnant people have received the most recently updated Covid-19 vaccine.

Kennedy’s decision coincides with ongoing calls from some of his supporters,particularly anti-vaccine advocates,to remove Covid-19 vaccines from the market entirely.