Vaccines and Policy: Denmark as a Model, France as a Cautionary Tale

The Bulwark analyzes RFK Jr.’s push to realign the US childhood vaccine schedule, arguing the justification relies on a narrow, Denmark-focused memo and ignores broader European experiences. It contrasts France’s 2024 decision to add the second meningococcal vaccine to its mandatory list—driven by outbreaks and public engagement—with Denmark’s smaller-scale, single-payer system, noting that policy choices vary widely across nations. The piece highlights a personal story of Isaac, a French infant who died from meningococcal disease, to illustrate the stakes and critiques the administration’s claim of global consensus as inaccurate. It calls for a transparent, expert-led, evidence-based process—rather than rapid shifts by a few officials—to ensure vaccines’ real-world impact is understood and adequately communicated to the public.