RFK JR. Changes Covid vaccine recommendation
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A wave of outrage sweeps the scientific and medical world after the decision of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., no longer recommended the routine-covid-19 vaccines for healthy children and healthy pregnant women.
Kennedy, a prominent vaccine skeptic, said on Tuesday that the Covid shot had been removed from the centers for the control of the disease and the recommended vaccination plans for prevention for these groups.
“Last year, the bidges government asked healthy children to receive another covid shot in spite of the lack of clinical data to support the repeat strategy in children,” said Kennedy in a video about X. He did not provide scientific evidence to justify the change in the recommendations.
It is Kennedy's latest step to change and potentially undermine the vaccinations in the United States since he has taken over the rudder at the Department of Health and Human Services that monitors the federal authorities, regulate and recommend the recordings.
It comes a week after Marty Makary, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, has set stricter standards for approval of recordings for healthy Americans.
Some health experts say that the fallen recommendation could have devastating consequences, especially for pregnant women and their babies.
According to the CDC website, both are considered a higher risk of serious complications from COVID-19 infections. This can include premature births and birth, heart injuries, blood clots and kidney damage in pregnant women.
“As an OB-Gynem who treat patients every day, we saw first-hand how dangerous covid 19 infections during pregnancy and for newborns who depend on maternal antibodies from the vaccine,” said Steven Fleischman, President of the American College of Obstricians and Gynecolies.
He emphasized that “science has not changed”.
“After this announcement, we will be concerned about our patients in the future who, despite the clear and final evidence that show their benefits, decides less likely to vaccination during pregnancy,” said Fleischman.
Studies have shown that Covid-19 vaccination reduces the hospital risk by the virus for pregnant women and infants under 6 months.
Fleischman and other experts also expressed concerns whether patients will have access to vaccines after Kennedy's decision. The recommendation of the CDC is of crucial importance because it leads insurance plans which should cover recordings for patients free of charge.
Medicare and Medicaid require that the recommended vaccines are free for patients. The law on affordable care requires private insurers to cover all vaccines recommended by the CDC and director of the CDC. Children without insurance can receive free recommended vaccines within the framework of the government -managed vaccines for children.
Pfizer And Modern According to the CDC website, up to $ 150 per dose for their respective covid recordings are calculated before the insurance company.
“This decision could make it much more difficult for millions of Americans to have access to vaccines they want for themselves and their families,” said Tina Tan, President of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
Tan added that this process for Kennedy's decision breaks with the precedent of the public discussion of the federal government of federal experts from the Federal Experts of the Federation and the coordination on immunization practices. A group of external consultants from the CDC typically gives the director of the agency vaccines.
Trump's candidate, who headed the CDC, still needs confirmation from the Senate.
“This decision is bypassed a long-established, evidence-based procedure with which the safety of the vaccine is guaranteed, and ignores the expertise of independent medical experts, including members of CDC committees that examine the evidence of the vaccine to make recommendations for autumn,” says a statement.
He added that the decision could “remove families of choice” and prevent those who want to vaccinate to get shots.
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Latest in healthcare: Haoge Health makes his debut on the New York Stock Exchange
Health Inc. Signpiece on the ground of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) during the first public offer (IPO) of the company in New York, USA, on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty pictures
Did you hear that? That was the sound of the digital health sector, who breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Digital physiotherapy company Health hinge debut on the New York Stock Exchange last week In The first major public outcome of the sector for several years.
The wider Tech -Po market has been in a drought since the end of 2021 when the increasing inflation and rising interest rates got investors out of risky assets. And within digital health there was practically no IPO activity.
The hinge, founded in 2014, uses software to help patients treat acute musculoskeletal injuries and chronic pain and carry out rehabilitation rehabilitation after operation.
The share was opened at 39.25 USD on Thursday and increased 23% compared to the IPO of $ 32. It closed 17% at $ 37.56 per share and brought its market capitalization to more than 3 billion US dollars. From Wednesday afternoon, the shares will be traded with more than $ 41.
Before his IPO had collected more than 1 billion US dollar from investors such as Insight Partners, Atomico, Tiger Global Management and Coatue Management.
Most analysts will officially use reporting on the stock about 30 days after the debut. But analysts from Roth drew some first thoughts about the hinge at the beginning of this month before going to the stock exchange. It is important that you do not participate in the offer, have made a recommendation or initiated the cover in your report.
“We saw the IPO road show presentation of Hnge and were impressed by the AI ​​products on which the platform and the rate of care expansion are based.”
According to Hin, sales rose 50% to $ 123.8 million in the first quarter, compared to USD 82.7 million in the previous year. The company recorded sales of $ 117.3 million in the fourth quarter and rose by 44%compared to the same period of 2023.
The Roth analysts said that the recent foundations of the company were encouraging, including the accelerating income and invoices as well as the improved operating margins. The risks with which the company is confronted include the competitive digital therapy landscape, their dependence on data and regulatory overhang assessed by experts.
After Hings's debut, another digital health company is preparing for the fight. Omada Health applied for an IPO at the beginning of this month, although it has not yet announced any further details about the expected pricing or timeline.
Omada offers virtual care programs to support patients with chronic diseases such as prediabetes, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Like we with hinge, we will follow this offer exactly. So stay up to date for updates!
Feel free to send tips, suggestions, story ideas and data to Ashley at Ashley.capoot@nbcuni.com.
