'I promised ... to end covid vaccine mandates,' says US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
The Trump administration announced Wednesday that it has ended emergency use authorizations (EUA) for coronavirus vaccines, according to multiple reports.
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the move was made to end vaccine mandates.
"I promised 4 things: 1. to end the emergency. 2. to end covid vaccine mandates. 3. to keep vaccines available to people who want them, especially the vulnerable. 4. to demand placebo-controlled trials from companies," Kennedy posted on US social media company X, announcing the new rules set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
"In a series of FDA actions today we accomplished all four goals," he said. "The emergency use authorizations for Covid vaccines, once used to justify broad mandates on the general public during the Biden administration, are now rescinded."
Kennedy said the FDA added new guidelines for COVID vaccine authorizations based on those with higher risk for infection: Moderna, for those who are 6 months and older; Pfizer for anyone 5 and older and Novavax for those in the 12 and older group.
"These vaccines are available for all patients who choose them after consulting with their doctors," he said.
Kennedy petitioned the FDA in 2021 to rescind the emergency use authorizations for COVID-19 vaccines.
The COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna were made available through EUAs prior to receiving full FDA approval in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
The Biden administration ended the COVID-19 public health emergency May 11, 2023.
Last month, the FDA granted full approval to Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine for at-risk children, making it the first vaccine available for children between 6 months and 11 years of age not administered through EUAs.
