Fact Check: "The CDC removed the vaccination recommendation for pregnant people and softened the recommendation for children's Covid shots."
What We Know
The claim that the CDC has removed vaccination recommendations for pregnant individuals and softened recommendations for children's COVID-19 shots is misleading. As of the latest updates, the CDC continues to recommend COVID-19 vaccinations for all individuals aged 6 months and older, including pregnant and breastfeeding individuals. The CDC states that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is safe and effective, and it helps protect both the mother and the baby from severe illness related to COVID-19 (CDC - COVID-19 Vaccination for Women Who Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding).
For children, the CDC advises parents to discuss the benefits of vaccination with healthcare providers, but it has not removed the recommendation for COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 6 months to 17 years (CDC - Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines).
Analysis
The assertion that the CDC has removed vaccination recommendations for pregnant individuals and children appears to stem from recent discussions and reports, including statements from public figures and some media outlets. However, these claims are not supported by the CDC's official guidelines.
While some reports suggest that the CDC's recommendations may be changing, they do not reflect a complete removal of vaccination guidance. For instance, articles from NBC News and The New York Times indicate that there are discussions about modifying recommendations, but these have not yet been officially enacted.
The sources that claim the CDC has removed recommendations for pregnant individuals and children, such as NPR and Fierce Pharma, may reflect a misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the CDC's ongoing communication about vaccination recommendations. The CDC's official stance, as of the latest updates, continues to advocate for vaccination in these populations.
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The claim that the CDC has removed vaccination recommendations for pregnant individuals and softened recommendations for children's COVID-19 shots is not accurate. The CDC still recommends COVID-19 vaccinations for all individuals aged 6 months and older, including pregnant and breastfeeding individuals. The information circulating about changes to these recommendations appears to be based on misinterpretations or premature reports rather than official CDC policy.
Sources
- Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines
- COVID-19 Vaccination for Women Who Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
- RFK Jr. says COVID shots no longer recommended for kids
- U.S. Will No Longer Recommend Covid Shots for Children
- Changed Recommendations for COVID-19 Vaccines
- CDC ends Covid vaccine recommendation for healthy kids
- CDC pulls COVID vaccine recommendation for pregnant
- New federal Covid-19 vaccine policies are already ... - CNN
