COVID-19 vaccines are now limited to high-risk groups under new FDA guidelines, as emergency use authorizations have been officially rescinded.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that COVID-19 vaccines will now be available only to high-risk groups, marking a significant shift in the public health approach to the pandemic. This decision comes as emergency use authorizations for these vaccines have been officially rescinded.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy made the announcement on Wednesday via a post on social media platform X. In his post, he outlined four commitments he had made: to end COVID vaccine mandates, to ensure vaccine availability for those who want them, particularly vulnerable populations, to demand placebo-controlled trials from vaccine manufacturers, and to conclude the emergency status surrounding COVID-19.
“In a series of FDA actions today we accomplished all four goals,” Kennedy stated. He highlighted that the FDA has issued marketing authorization for the following vaccines for high-risk groups: Moderna for individuals aged six months and older, Pfizer for those five years and older, and Novavax for individuals aged 12 and up. Kennedy emphasized that these vaccines will be available to all patients who choose to receive them after consulting with their healthcare providers.
High-risk groups include older adults aged 65 and above, as well as individuals who are more likely to experience severe illness from COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies several conditions that may increase the risk of severe COVID illness, including asthma, cancer, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, dementia, mood disorders, obesity, Parkinson’s disease, and chronic diseases affecting the lungs, liver, or kidneys.
In addition to the new marketing authorization, Kennedy also announced the rescindment of emergency use authorizations for COVID vaccines. “The American people demanded science, safety, and common sense,” he remarked. “This framework delivers all three.”
Prior to this change, the CDC had recommended COVID-19 vaccines for all Americans aged six months and older. In May 2025, Kennedy had previously announced that COVID-19 vaccines would be removed from the CDC’s routine immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women.
Instead of a universal recommendation, the CDC’s updated guidance now emphasizes “shared clinical decision-making.” This approach encourages discussions between parents and healthcare providers regarding the benefits and risks of vaccination for each individual case.
Despite the FDA’s new guidelines, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) continues to include COVID-19 vaccines in its annual immunization schedule. Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst for Fox News, has previously stated that vaccination decisions should involve a conversation between the pediatrician, the patient, and the parent, taking into account the child’s health and the current state of COVID-19.
As the landscape of COVID-19 vaccination continues to evolve, the focus now shifts to ensuring that high-risk populations receive the necessary protection while allowing for informed decision-making among families and healthcare providers.
Source: Original article