# 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.
- Title: CDC finally opens COVID vaccine orders after month-long delay
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: covid-19 vaccines, cdc, vaccines for children program, robert f. kennedy jr., health secretary, vaccine ordering delay, fda approval, hhs, vaccine recommendations, public health, technology, science
- Source: Ars Technica — https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/09/cdc-opens-state-ordering-for-covid-19-vaccines-after-unexplained-delay
- Published: 2026-09-24T22:29:48+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: covid-19 vaccines, cdc, vaccines for children program, robert f. kennedy jr., health secretary, vaccine ordering delay, fda approval, hhs, vaccine recommendations, public health, technology, science
## 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.
## Key takeaway

A monthlong unexplained delay in opening vaccine orders raises questions about political interference in public health decisions.