GoKawiilCDC delays COVID-19 vaccine orders for children under federal VFC program
The CDC has not finalized procurement decisions allowing states to order this season's COVID-19 vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program, which covers roughly 52 percent of US children who are uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid-eligible, or Indigenous. The delay also affects at least 11 states and one US territory that use VFC contracts to buy vaccines universally for all children regardless of insurance status. HHS, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., confirmed the procurement decisions remain unfinished but did not explain the reason for the delay.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Former CDC official Demetre Daskalakis warns the delay could block vaccine access for children in states relying on the universal purchase program just as respiratory virus season begins. Given RFK Jr.'s history of vaccine skepticism, the delay may reflect broader reconsideration within HHS of pediatric COVID-19 vaccination policy, though the agency has not stated this explicitly. The uncertainty could leave millions of low-income and uninsured children without timely access to shots this fall.
- CDC has delayed finalizing COVID-19 vaccine procurement for the Vaccines for Children program.
- At least 11 states and one territory relying on VFC contracts for universal child vaccine purchases are affected.
- HHS, under RFK Jr., has not explained the reason for the delay, raising questions about vaccine policy direction.
Source: arstechnica.com, 2026-09-23
Published there as: “RFK Jr.'s CDC isn’t letting states order COVID-19 shots for kids, blocking access”
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