MANY MINDEDCDC procurement delay blocks pediatric vaccine access for 11 states and one territory
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stated on September 23, 2026, that the CDC has not finalized procurement decisions for pediatric COVID-19 vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program. This delay affects 11 states and one territory (Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa) that participate in a universal pediatric vaccine purchase program. Approximately 52 percent of U.S. children are eligible for these vaccines through the program, meaning the blockage directly impacts children regardless of insurance status.
The delay stems from the CDC’s procurement process, which the Department of Health and Human Services previously unilaterally revoked recommendations for children’s vaccines in the prior year. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. currently leads the Department of Health and Human Services, though the agency did not specify the reason for the procurement delay.
This friction in health access prevents states from delivering free vaccines to children, potentially worsening pandemic health outcomes for vulnerable populations. The consequence is reduced availability of a critical public health intervention for a large segment of the population.
What to watch: The Department of Health and Human Services plans to release additional information about the procurement decision soon. The delay affects states that buy vaccines for children regardless of insurance status, but the agency has not clarified the cause or timeline for resolution.
Source: Ars Technica