Should kids get the Covid-19 vaccine this fall? What the CDC and pediatricians recommend
Despite the dangerous rhetoric from RFK Jr., children should still get the COVID vaccine this fall.
As the nights draw in and the chilly air of autumn approaches, parents are asking whether to vaccinate their children against Covid-19. At the center of the confusion is a sharp split between federal health authorities and pediatric medical experts.
Earlier this summer, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—under Secretary Xavier Becerra—reaffirmed its official stance. As of May 27, 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend Covid-19 vaccination for children and pregnant people, despite criticism from vaccine skeptics.
One of the loudest skeptics has been Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has made a series of bizarre claims: that a worm ate part of his brain; that he won’t take sides on 9/11; that water makes children transgender; that cocaine and heroin were his “drugs of choice”; and that vaccines represent “a holocaust.”
So believe him if you want—but do so at your own risk.
Of course, if your child is Jewish, they won’t have to take the COVID vaccine at all: according to RFK Jr., Jewish people are “most immune” from the illness, along with the Chinese.
To complicate matters even further for our young ones, new vaccines designed for the fall are likely to be approved only for older adults or those with underlying health conditions, raising questions about access for minors.
Not satisfied with the shift towards conspiracy nonsense from the government, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has drawn a bold line. On August 19–21, 2025, they issued a strong, science-backed recommendation that all children aged 6 to 23 months should receive a Covid-19 vaccine, citing an elevated risk of severe disease and hospitalisation.
In short: get the vaccine
“It differs from recent recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the CDC, which was overhauled this year and replaced with individuals who have a history of spreading vaccine misinformation,” it said in a news release.
For older children aged 2–18, the AAP advises vaccination primarily for those in specific high-risk categories, such as children with underlying health issues, previously unvaccinated individuals, or those living with high-risk household members. They also support vaccination for healthy older children if parents choose to do so, providing an extra layer of protection.
For children between 6 and 23 months, the AAP clearly recommends vaccination this fall. For older children, it is advised for those with risk factors—or for parents who want additional protection for their child.
Related stories
Also, to end, I hope you didn’t use the internet to go online and find this article, as RKF Jr. says that WiFi causes cancer.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.