Lead
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn in as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on Feb. 13, 2025, in the Oval Office. During his confirmation he gave multiple public and private assurances to senators that he would uphold the childhood vaccine schedule, preserve CDC advisory roles and not cut vaccination funding. One year later, several of those commitments have been reversed or altered: the HHS leadership replaced the vaccine advisory committee, the CDC narrowed universal recommendations for seven childhood immunizations, and major vaccination grants and research funds were halted. The changes have prompted legal challenges, congressional criticism and questions about the trajectory of U.S. vaccine policy.
Key Takeaways
- Sworn in Feb. 13, 2025, Kennedy won confirmation after pledging to support the childhood vaccine schedule and to preserve CDC advisory processes.
- Months after confirmation, HHS dismissed the incumbent members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and appointed new members, including several who have publicly questioned some vaccines.
- The CDC removed universal recommendations for seven childhood immunizations (RSV, meningococcal, influenza, COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and rotavirus), changing them to guidance limited to high‑risk children or individualized clinician–parent discussions.
- Shortly after Kennedy took office, the CDC paused distribution of roughly $11 billion in COVID-era grants used by local health departments for vaccination programs; a federal judge later ordered the funds distributed.
- NIH rescinded numerous grants studying vaccine hesitancy, and HHS canceled about $500 million in mRNA vaccine research in August 2025, according to agency announcements.
- CDC web content that long stated ‘‘vaccines do not cause autism’’ remained, but new language was added that casts doubt on whether studies have fully ruled out any connection—text that public‑health scientists call misleading.
- HHS has defended the actions as implementing advisory recommendations and agency priorities; several senators who voted to confirm Kennedy have pressed for clarity on commitments they were given.
Background
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a long record as an outspoken critic of vaccines prior to his nomination, a background that prompted intensive scrutiny during the Senate confirmation process. Facing concern from lawmakers across the political spectrum, Kennedy offered assurances in hearings that he would support the established childhood immunization schedule and not seek to divert congressional funding for vaccination programs. His confirmation vote in the Senate was narrow, reflecting the divide among senators who weighed his prior activism against his pledges during confirmation.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) at the CDC has historically shaped the U.S. immunization schedule through expert review of safety and effectiveness data. Vaccination recommendations and federal grant programs have together supported broad childhood immunization coverage that public-health researchers say has prevented thousands of deaths and millions of illnesses. Debate over agency staffing, funding and the framing of public-information pages has become a focal point for broader disputes about trust, scientific institutions and the role of federal guidance in medical decisions.
Main Event
In the months after taking office, Secretary Kennedy removed the standing ACIP membership and installed a new slate of advisers, some of whom have expressed concerns about one or more vaccines. Within a short period the committee’s recommendations shifted away from universal guidance toward more selective guidelines for seven childhood immunizations: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), meningococcal disease, influenza, COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and rotavirus. Those vaccines are now recommended primarily for children at higher risk or following individualized clinician–parent counseling.
Shortly after the leadership changes, the CDC paused distribution of approximately $11 billion in COVID-era grants that local and state health departments had been using for vaccination programs and other public-health initiatives. The pause prompted litigation; a federal judge ordered the funds to be distributed while litigation proceeded. Separately, NIH canceled several grants related to vaccine hesitancy research, and HHS announced the cancellation of roughly $500 million in mRNA vaccine research in August 2025.
On public-facing information, the CDC’s autism-related page retained the sentence stating that vaccines do not cause autism, but new text was added asserting that existing studies have not ruled out every possible vaccine–autism link—language that public-health experts say misrepresents the longstanding scientific consensus. Those webpage changes, together with funding and advisory shifts, have generated criticism that the department has not honored the spirit of Kennedy’s confirmation assurances.
Analysis & Implications
Shifts in advisory membership and vaccine recommendations can alter clinician behavior and parental decisions, with possible downstream effects on vaccination coverage and disease incidence. When federal recommendations move from a universal to a risk‑based posture, uptake typically falls among lower‑risk populations, which can nonetheless increase population susceptibility to outbreaks. Public-health modeling from independent researchers suggests that narrowing recommendations for high‑impact vaccines can lead to preventable cases and hospitalizations if coverage drops.
Politically, the episode highlights the constraints of confirmation bargains: senators may secure written or verbal assurances that are difficult to enforce once an appointee controls personnel and communications. The narrow Senate vote that confirmed Kennedy reflected tradeoffs that now complicate congressional oversight; several lawmakers have sought briefings and records but have stopped short of unified action. Legal avenues—such as the court order enforcing grant distribution—are one mechanism to check administrative moves, but litigation is slow and partial.
Internationally, changes at the U.S. health agency affect global perceptions of vaccine policy. U.S. CDC recommendations influence World Health Organization guidance and bilateral programs; a perception of weakening federal endorsement could ripple into lower uptake in countries that rely on U.S. policy signals. In the research domain, canceled grants and halted mRNA work may slow scientific progress on platforms that have broader applications beyond COVID-19, including other infectious diseases and therapeutics.
Comparison & Data
| Vaccine | Pre-2026 CDC Recommendation | Post-Change Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) | Universal pediatric recommendation | High-risk children or clinician–parent discussion |
| Meningococcal disease | Universal pediatric recommendation | High-risk children or clinician–parent discussion |
| Influenza (flu) | Annual universal pediatric recommendation | High-risk children or clinician–parent discussion |
| COVID-19 | Universal pediatric recommendation | High-risk children or clinician–parent discussion |
| Hepatitis A | Universal pediatric recommendation | High-risk children or clinician–parent discussion |
| Hepatitis B | Universal neonatal/infant recommendation | High-risk children or clinician–parent discussion |
| Rotavirus | Universal infant recommendation | High-risk children or clinician–parent discussion |
This table summarizes the practical change in federal guidance for seven commonly used childhood vaccines: a shift from broad, population‑level recommendations to narrower, risk‑based or individualized guidance. Public-health experts estimate that routine childhood immunizations have historically prevented thousands of deaths and millions of cases of disease; reducing the strength of universal recommendations may erode these population health gains over time if coverage declines.
Reactions & Quotes
Sen. Bill Cassidy noted that Kennedy gave assurances during confirmation that he would uphold ACIP recommendations and the childhood schedule.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (floor statement)
Sen. Elizabeth Warren warned during hearings that changes could funnel legal and financial incentives to those who profit from litigation related to vaccines.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (hearing remarks)
HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said the department believes it has implemented commitments to senators and followed ACIP guidance while working with congressional leaders.
HHS spokesperson (agency statement)
Unconfirmed
- Whether internal HHS deliberations included a formal, written plan to reframe CDC language on autism—public records have not produced a definitive internal memo describing such a plan.
- The extent to which the newly appointed ACIP members will recommend further narrowing of other vaccine categories beyond the seven already changed remains unclear and subject to future meetings and votes.
- Claims that the policy changes were directly motivated by potential personal financial gain have not been substantiated by public evidence; such allegations remain under investigation or unproven.
Bottom Line
One year after his confirmation, Secretary Kennedy’s record at HHS shows material departures from key commitments he made to senators about vaccine policy, advisory roles and funding. The replacement of ACIP membership, narrowing of universal vaccine recommendations for seven immunizations and pauses or cancellations of major funding streams represent substantive policy shifts with foreseeable public‑health consequences.
Watch for ongoing congressional oversight, court proceedings related to grant distribution, and future ACIP meetings that will determine whether these changes become permanent practice. Public-health outcomes will hinge on whether clinicians, states and parents alter behavior in response to revised federal guidance and on whether researchers can continue work critical to vaccine safety and uptake.