FDA Changes COVID Vaccine Recommendations: Makary Defends Decision Amidst Controversy

FDA Commissioner Defends COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendation Changes On May 29, 2025, the FDA announced a significant shift in its COVID-19 vaccine recommendations. No longer recommending the vaccine for healthy children and pregnant individuals sparked immediate debate. In an interview on PBS NewsHour, FDA Commissioner Dr. Martin Makary defended the decision. "Most of America has said no to the COVID booster last year," Makary stated, pointing to low uptake rates as a key factor. He further emphasized the need for more data to support the continued recommendation of the vaccine for younger, healthier populations, comparing the US approach to that of Europe. The interview also touched on the recent "Make America Healthy Again" report, which has faced scrutiny for its questionable citations. The report's findings, however, have spurred discussion on the broader issue of healthcare costs and access in the US.