RFK Jr. Pulled the Plug on Kids’ COVID Vaccine Access. Guess Who Pays the Price?

RFK Jr. just made a public health decision that skips the science and dives straight into disaster. By removing the CDC recommendation for COVID vaccines in healthy children and pregnant people, he’s done more than just shake up policy—he’s put low-income families on the hook for protection they once could get for free.

What RFK Jr. Announced and How It Threatens COVID Vaccine Access

In a solo performance that ignored both the CDC and its advisory committees, RFK Jr. pulled COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for healthy children and pregnant women. It’s the kind of move that plays well to a fringe base—and does real harm to real people. Without these federal endorsements, insurers are no longer obligated to cover the shots. Translation? A potentially life-saving vaccine just got a price tag.

COVID Vaccine Access and the Cost for Low-Income Families

Let’s talk money. Without federal guidance, insurers may no longer be required to cover these vaccines. That means out-of-pocket costs—often $150–200 per dose. If you think that’s not a big deal, ask a single mom choosing between groceries and gas. Now throw in a vaccine she needs to pay for to keep her kid safe. That’s the price of this policy.

The families hit hardest will be the same ones already underserved: those juggling multiple jobs, those on Medicaid or without insurance, those who already face obstacles just to get a checkup. This isn’t just a rollback—it’s a chokehold on public health access.

Why COVID Vaccine Access Still Matters for Kids and Pregnant People

Here’s the kicker: kids and pregnant people are still vulnerable. COVID-19 is not “over” in the biological sense. Pregnant individuals are at increased risk for complications, and young kids—especially those with underlying conditions—aren’t immune to hospitalization or long COVID.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists still recommend the COVID vaccine for these groups. That’s science. RFK Jr.’s move? That’s something else entirely.

Who Loses When COVID Vaccine Access Gets Politicized

Let’s call this what it is: a reckless gamble with our most vulnerable lives. Stripping away vaccine access doesn’t affect everyone equally. It disproportionately harms BIPOC communities, rural families, and working-class households—folks who already have to fight to be seen in the healthcare system.

And it sends a dangerous message: that their lives, their kids, and their health are negotiable.

This isn’t health policy—it’s political theater with a body count.

The Long-Term Risks of Undermining COVID Vaccine Access

We should be expanding COVID vaccine access, not pulling the ladder up behind us. We should be leading with equity and data, not ideology and denial. This policy doesn’t just undo progress—it punishes people for being poor.

Vaccines should be available to all, especially those who need protection the most. The fact that we’re even debating this in 2025 is a tragic sign of how far public health has been politicized.

📚 References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). CDC Recommends Updated COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Adults. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2023/p0912-covid-19.html

2. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). AAP urges COVID vaccination for all eligible children and teens. https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/health--safety-tips/aap-urges-covid-vaccination-for-all-eligible-children-and-teens/

3. Kaiser Family Foundation. (2024). Vaccine Access and Affordability in the U.S. https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/vaccine-access-and-affordability/

4. The New York Times. (2024). RFK Jr. Removes CDC COVID Vaccine Recommendation for Children and Pregnant People. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/20/us/politics/rfk-jr-covid-vaccine-policy.html

5. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2023). COVID-19 Vaccination Considerations for Obstetric–Gynecologic Care. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/articles/2020/12/covid-19-vaccination-considerations-for-obstetric-gynecologic-care

6. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2022). Achieving Health Equity Through Vaccine Access. https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2022/06/achieving-equity-in-covid-19-vaccine-access