Trump administration delays Covid vaccines for children through federal program, report says

The short version

• The Trump administration has halted Covid vaccine distribution through the Vaccines for Children program, leaving children in at least 11 states and one territory without access.[The Guardian]
• The move affects 52% of U.S. children eligible for the federal initiative alongside all children living in states with universal vaccine purchasing systems.[The Guardian]
• An HHS spokesperson confirmed pediatric doses are currently unavailable, whereas HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. previously asserted access had been preserved.[The Guardian]
• Health officials warn that the indefinite delay leaves children unprotected against current variants and could signal future restrictions on other routine vaccines.[The Guardian]

Key facts

• The Trump administration is not providing Covid vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program for children in at least 11 states and one U.S. territory.[The Guardian]
• The lack of distribution impacts 52% of children eligible for VFC nationwide as well as all children in states that rely on universal purchase programs.[The Guardian]
• The 11 universal vaccine purchase states impacted include Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wyoming.[The Guardian]
• HHS spokesperson Emily Hilliard confirmed that Covid vaccines are currently not available through the Vaccines for Children program.[The Guardian]
• HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. previously claimed at an anti-vaccine conference that the administration has preserved access and not removed vaccines from anyone.[The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Delays in Covid shots for kids is latest bid by Trump officials to restrict vaccinesThe Guardian - US