Can pregnant women get the COVID vaccine? Some may find challenges
Can I still access the COVID vaccine?
New COVID vaccine guidelines implemented by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has Americans confused.
- Recent changes in federal guidance have removed the COVID-19 vaccine from the CDC’s recommended schedule for healthy pregnant women.
- Despite the new recommendations, healthcare professionals continue to advise pregnant women to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
- Access to the vaccine has become more complex, with some states and pharmacies now requiring a prescription for certain individuals.
As COVID-19 vaccine regulations continue to evolve, certain groups — particularly pregnant women — may face difficulties accessing the vaccine.
Earlier CDC guidance supported the use of mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech for pregnant individuals. The agency stated that, based on how the vaccines interact with the body, they were unlikely to pose risks to either the pregnant person or the baby.
However, in May, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that COVID-19 vaccines would no longer be included in the CDC’s recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women.
The move broke with previous expert guidance and has sparked harsh criticism from healthcare professionals as well as Democratic and Republican senators. The secretary has been a prominent critic of vaccines and has previously promoted debunked claims that they are linked to autism.
In June, Kennedy dismissed all 17 members of a federal advisory committee on vaccine safety and announced plans to appoint new members. According to Politico, Kennedy is reportedly considering appointing seven individuals to the newly formed independent vaccine advisory panel at the CDC, several of whom share his skepticism toward COVID-19 vaccines or the pharmaceutical industry.
The advisory committee is scheduled to convene on Sept. 18 and 19, during which it is expected to vote on updated recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines and other immunizations.
It’s unclear whether the new appointees will be able to join the panel in time for its September meeting. Historically, panel members have undergone a vetting process that can take several months, reported Politico.
Here’s what to know.
Should pregnant women get the COVID-19 vaccine? What experts recommend
Physicians who care for expectant mothers and deliver babies recommend COVID vaccines for pregnant women, despite new federal recommendations.
“As ob-gyns who treat patients every day, we have seen firsthand how dangerous COVID-19 infection can be during pregnancy and for newborns who depend on maternal antibodies from the vaccine for protection,” Dr. Steven J. Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists wrote in a June letter.
His comments were part of a widespread backlash from the medical community following Kennedy’s May announcement.
“Despite the change in recommendations from HHS, the science has not changed,” added Fleischman. “It is very clear that COVID-19 infection during pregnancy can be catastrophic and lead to major disability and it can cause devastating consequences.”
“The COVID-19 vaccine is safe during pregnancy, and vaccination can protect our patients and their infants after birth.”
Pregnant women, adults and children ages six months and up − especially those with preexisting conditions that put them at risk − should get the COVID vaccine, Sanmi Areola, the Metro Nashville Public Health director said.
What the CDC says
Since Kennedy’s announcement in May, the CDC has removed its recommendation that healthy pregnant women receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
What to know about COVID-19 vaccine guidance at CVS, Walgreens
Pharmacies and healthcare providers are currently navigating a complex regulatory landscape, with varying vaccine policies across 49 states and Washington, D.C., as they await updated guidance from the CDC’s restructured advisory committee.
In many states, pharmacists are prohibited from administering vaccines that are not included on ACIP’s recommended list, even if those vaccines have received FDA authorization, reported healthcare news outlet Fierce Healthcare.
CVS Health, the nation’s largest pharmacy chain, has adjusted its COVID-19 vaccine administration policies.
In 13 states — including New York, Florida, Pennsylvania, Arizona — and Washington, D.C., patients of any age must obtain a prescription from an authorized provider to receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine at CVS Health pharmacies or MinuteClinics, according to the company.
In three states — Massachusetts, New Mexico, and Nevada — CVS pharmacies are unable to administer the COVID-19 vaccine without ACIP approval, even if a prescription is provided, Fierce Healthcare reported.
Following the FDA’s approval of the 2025–26 COVID-19 vaccine, the company is prepared to offer the vaccine in states where regulations permit, a Walgreens spokesperson told Fierce Healthcare.
In Tennessee, CVS is admnistering the COVID-19 vaccine to pregnant people. “Per CDC guidelines pregnancy is a condition that is considered to put someone at high risk for COVID-19.,” said CVS spokesperson Amy Thibault in an email to the Tennessean.
Walgreens did not respond to the Tennessean’s request for comment.
Are prescriptions required for COVID-19 vaccines in Tennessee?
Inoculations used to be readily available for all adults at major drug stores but will be less convenient under new guidelines from the CDC, which is under the Department of Health and Human Services.
Now, a medical consultation — available at some pharmacies — is required for those under age 65 who don’t have an underlying condition that puts them at increased risk of severe illness.
Dr. Amy Gordon Bono, a Middle Tennessee primary care physician, said on Sept. 8 that two of her adult patients recently were denied access to COVID vaccines at area pharmacies, while she heard of another adult who successfully got the vaccine at another pharmacy chain.
“Some clinics are waiting until after the CDC meeting next week, unless it gets postponed, to make an order,” the Mount Juliet physician said. “I am not sure how long it will take for the distributor to deliver orders.”
Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for the Tennessean. Contact her at [email protected] or follow her on X at @_leyvadiana
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