Fact Check: "RFK Jr. has officially REMOVED the COVID shot from the childhood vaccine schedule

Fact-Check: "RFK Jr. has officially REMOVED the COVID shot from the childhood vaccine schedule"

What We Know

In late May 2025, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the removal of COVID-19 vaccines from the recommendation list for healthy children and pregnant women. This decision was made public through a statement on social media and has since sparked significant controversy and legal action. A lawsuit was filed by several prominent health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, alleging that Kennedy's actions violated federal law governing vaccine recommendations. The lawsuit claims that the removal of the vaccine was "arbitrary" and "capricious," and it seeks to reverse the changes made to the vaccine recommendations.

The announcement has been met with backlash from the medical community, with experts expressing concerns that this decision undermines public trust in vaccines. Dr. Susan Kressly, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, emphasized that "every child's health is at stake" due to these changes (NPR). Furthermore, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has stated that Kennedy stands by his reforms, despite the ongoing legal challenges (NPR).

Analysis

The evidence surrounding the claim that RFK Jr. has removed the COVID vaccine from the childhood schedule is substantial. The announcement was widely reported by reputable news outlets, including ABC News and CBS News, confirming that the COVID-19 vaccine is no longer recommended for children and pregnant women as part of the CDC's immunization schedule. This aligns with the details provided in the lawsuit filed by health organizations, which specifically cites Kennedy's decision as a violation of established procedures for changing vaccine recommendations.

However, the context of this removal is critical. While Kennedy's announcement has been characterized as a significant policy shift, some reports indicate that the COVID vaccine is still available and can be recommended by healthcare providers on a case-by-case basis (Washington Post). This nuance suggests that while the vaccine has been removed from the official recommendation list, it does not mean it is entirely unavailable or that healthcare providers cannot advise its use.

The reliability of the sources reporting on this issue is generally high, with major news organizations and health experts providing insights. However, there are concerns regarding the motivations behind Kennedy's decision, given his history as an anti-vaccine activist. Critics have labeled the supporting documents for his decision as containing "willful medical disinformation" (NPR). This raises questions about the integrity of the information being disseminated and the potential impact on public health.

Conclusion

The claim that "RFK Jr. has officially REMOVED the COVID shot from the childhood vaccine schedule" is True. The evidence clearly indicates that Kennedy made this decision in May 2025, leading to significant legal and public health ramifications. While the vaccine is still accessible, the formal removal from the recommendation list represents a notable shift in policy that has been met with considerable opposition from the medical community. The ongoing lawsuit underscores the contentious nature of this decision and its implications for public health.

Fact Check: "RFK Jr. has officially REMOVED the COVID shot from the childhood vaccine schedule