Health Secretary Kennedy Faces Vaccine Dilemmas Amid Rising COVID-19 Cases

Thu Oct 16 2025 23:49:07 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As access to COVID-19 vaccinations becomes a pressing issue, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s advisory panel meets to address controversial recommendations and public confusion.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s COVID-19 vaccination advisory panel meets again amid increasing infections and public frustration regarding the new vaccine eligibility criteria. Recent FDA restrictions limit updated vaccines to specific high-risk groups, leaving many unsure about their access. The CDC must provide further recommendations that could impact insurance and vaccination protocols, especially regarding a potential change to hepatitis B vaccination guidelines for newborns.

ATLANTA (AP) — The pressing question surrounding COVID-19 vaccinations is access, as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. convenes his advisory panel again on Friday, following a postponed vote on controversial issues regarding newborn vaccinations.

With rising COVID-19 infection rates, many individuals across various states are expressing frustration in navigating updated vaccine eligibility. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently imposed new restrictions on vaccines from manufacturers like Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax, now reserving doses for individuals over the age of 65 and younger individuals identified as high-risk by healthcare professionals.

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory panel considers recommendations for vaccine distribution, the decision significantly affects public insurance coverage and administration protocols by pharmacists in multiple states. The panel, stocked with members critical of coronavirus vaccines, raises questions about whether additional restrictions might be advised.

Dr. Phil Huang, a family physician and director of health in Dallas County, highlighted the confusion surrounding the panel's decisions, particularly how it impacts low-income families relying on federally funded health programs.

During this meeting, the panel is responding to a lingering question regarding the CDC's long-standing recommendation for newborn vaccination against hepatitis B at birth. However, amid criticism from pediatric specialists advocating for the vaccine's safety and effectiveness in reducing infant infections, the decision on postponing this recommendation remains undecided.

In response to rising COVID-19 cases, the advisory committee is expected to align its guidance with the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations, advocating for vaccination availability for everyone aged six months and older, including pregnant women. Amidst uncertainties, several states are initiating policies to ensure continued vaccine access regardless of the outcomes of the advisory meetings, with major insurance representatives committing to cover vaccine costs through 2026.