From Ars Technica · · 1m 30s
CDC finally opens COVID vaccine orders after month-long delay
States can now order free COVID-19 vaccines for children, but Trump officials have not explained why ordering was held up for nearly a month.
In brief
States can now order free COVID-19 vaccines for children, but Trump officials have not explained why ordering was held up for nearly a month. A monthlong unexplained delay in opening vaccine orders raises questions about political interference in public health decisions. Originally reported by Ars Technica.
States can finally order COVID vaccines
After nearly a month, the CDC opened ordering for 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program, which provides free shots to low-income children.
No clear explanation for the delay
Trump officials have not provided a clear reason for holding up vaccine ordering, despite FDA approval in late August. The delay raises concerns about interference from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Kennedy's long history opposing vaccines
Health Secretary Kennedy has spent years attacking COVID-19 vaccines, falsely calling them the deadliest ever made and petitioning the FDA to withdraw approval. Last year he unilaterally revoked the CDC's universal vaccine recommendations.
“deadliest vaccine[s] ever made”
CDC staff had everything ready
Career CDC officials had completed all preparations to open vaccine ordering. Trump officials essentially just needed to push a button to make vaccines available, according to sources.
Current recommendations are narrower than before
A federal court blocked Kennedy's changes to vaccine recommendations, leaving them at July 2025 levels. Only immunocompromised children 6 months to 17 years old are recommended to get vaccinated, while healthy children need shared decision-making with doctors.
In short
A monthlong unexplained delay in opening vaccine orders raises questions about political interference in public health decisions.
