All articles tagged with #vaccine policy
This biweekly briefing maps sweeping shifts in U.S. vaccine policy: federal court battles over pediatric vaccine scheduling and ACIP governance, state efforts to roll back school vaccine requirements, regulatory reversals on Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine, and a leadership shake-up at the CDC, all set against widening data gaps and new data tools from public health researchers and advocates.
Jay Bhattacharya, the NIH director, was named acting head of the CDC—the fourth leader in a year—raising concerns that his close ties to RFK Jr. could push a vaccine-skeptic agenda and consolidate control over U.S. health policy as both agencies trim grants and reshape policy.
Moderna is pulling back on late-stage vaccine studies, while other vaccine developers pause projects and cut positions amid a chilling policy environment under health secretary RFK Jr. The trend is illustrated by Moderna pausing trials in Massachusetts, a Texas factory project being canceled, and layoffs at a San Diego manufacturer, signaling a broader slowdown in vaccine development and manufacturing.
A sweeping shift in U.S. vaccine policy shows a growing split between federal guidance and state actions: the administration cut universal childhood vaccines from 17 to 11 and bypassed ACIP, while the AAP's expanded schedule (18 diseases) gains adoption by many governors; conflicts of interest around vaccine advisory processes, changes to the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, and a wave of state bills on exemptions and mandates are reshaping how vaccines are recommended and required, all as measles and flu outbreaks continue — prompting public engagement and vigilance.
U.S. vaccine-policy changes under Health Secretary Kennedy are fueling hesitation in labor wards, with doctors reporting more families delaying standard newborn care such as vitamin K injections and erythromycin eye ointment amid distrust and social-media misinformation. While pediatricians stress these treatments and routine immunizations are crucial—and some measles outbreaks spur early vaccination—officials say policy shifts haven’t caused the declines. In 2024, vitamin K was not given to more than 5% of newborns, up from under 3% in 2017, with some parents opting for oral vitamin K.
New evidence shows COVID-19 can cause lasting health problems—from cognitive impairment to neurodevelopmental issues in newborns—and may raise risks for cancer relapse and cardiovascular disease, even after mild infections. Critics say Trump-era policy shifts limited vaccine recommendations and halted funding for next-gen vaccines, while officials insist vaccines remain available and guidance now emphasizes informed decision-making. With vaccination rates low and long-term harms potentially driving economic costs, researchers call for more funding and long-term monitoring of recovered patients.
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.
The chair of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices questioned whether broad polio and other childhood-vaccine recommendations remain appropriate, saying the panel should prioritize individual autonomy in vaccination decisions over public health mandates; the remarks drew a rebuke from the American Medical Association as political shifts under Health Secretary Kennedy reshape vaccine policy and school requirements.
STAT argues that federal use of 'shared decision-making' in vaccine guidance risks misrepresenting the strength of evidence, shifting emphasis to individual choice in matters of public health, and undermining trust. Experts say SDM is about clinician-patient collaboration informed by evidence, not a license to downplay clearly beneficial vaccines; the language echoes past policy shifts (e.g., 'should' vs 'may') and could influence state rule-making and vaccination uptake.
Following a unilateral narrowing of the pediatric vaccine schedule by the Trump-era health department, many major health systems say they will ignore the federal guidance and instead follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidance, mirroring the previous policy. The move could polarize U.S. vaccine policy, with hospitals nationwide reaffirming trust in pediatric groups rather than federal direction and states potentially diverging on school-entry vaccine rules. HHS defends the change as aligning with international norms, even as critics warn it undermines public trust and risks inconsistent protection for children.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. advocates for reducing the U.S. vaccine schedule to match Denmark's, citing concerns about vaccine safety and exposure to substances like aluminum. Although plans for a policy change were temporarily halted due to legal and political reasons, there is strong indication that Kennedy remains committed to this approach, influenced by Denmark's more limited vaccine recommendations and recent political support from figures like Donald Trump.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faces legal and procedural hurdles in his efforts to overhaul the US pediatric immunization schedule, as any unilateral policy change must follow the Administrative Procedure Act, involve proper deliberative processes, and could be challenged in court, especially given his recent actions and the established role of the CDC's advisory committee.
The Department of Health and Human Services has abruptly terminated millions of dollars in grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics, citing issues like language use and misalignment with priorities, amid ongoing conflicts over vaccine policies and criticisms of RFK Jr. The move impacts vital child health initiatives and follows the AAP's criticism of Kennedy's vaccine policy changes.
The Department of Health and Human Services has canceled seven grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics, citing misalignment with its priorities, amid ongoing legal and political conflicts over vaccine policies and public health guidance, potentially impacting pediatric health initiatives across the U.S.
The CDC’s vaccine advisory committee faces a crisis due to political influence and procedural irregularities, leading to potential destabilization of vaccine policies, public trust erosion, and risks to vaccine supply and safety, especially concerning the hepatitis B birth dose and vaccine messaging on autism. Immediate action is needed to reaffirm scientific integrity and restore public confidence.