RFK Jr. broaches new categories for childhood vaccines
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The Trump administration on Friday took another step toward reshaping federal policy on childhood vaccines, inviting public comment on possible changes to how the shots are categorized.
Why it matters: The move by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. comes on the heels of President Trump's Aug. 10 order calling for fewer childhood vaccinations and for splitting the childhood MMR vaccine into three shots.
- It raises the possibility of new alternatives to a universal recommendation that could affect whether insurers cover the full cost of a vaccination.
Driving the news: The 10-page filing seeks comment on a childhood vaccine schedule that the administration made deep cuts to in early January — changes that were later halted by a federal court.
- It invites input on adding to or changing the three categories now used — routine, based on risk for certain populations, or in consultation with physicians — with options like "recommended, but not during infancy" or "recommended with qualification."
- It doesn't list possible vaccines to include in those categories.
- The filing also addresses confusion and the possibility of reduced uptake of vaccines the government recommends getting only after consulting with a doctor.
"Transparent communication about negative or uncertain features of vaccines may reduce acceptance in the short term but increases trust in health authorities, whereas vague reassurance fails to increase acceptance and reduces trust," the filing states.
- Health and Human Services is accepting public comment through Sept. 20.
What they're saying: The department is circling back to do a public comment process it skipped when it announced the January vaccine changes — but is treating those changes as settled, Stanford infectious diseases specialist Jake Scott wrote on X.
- Richard Hughes, a professor of vaccine law at George Washington University and a partner at Epstein Becker Green, called the request for comment "the latest step in a predetermined policy agenda to restructure the federal vaccine recommendation framework, this time with the procedural veneer of public input."
