RFK Jr. Pushes Rapid Changes to Childhood Vaccines

US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a Senate Finance Committee hearing in Washington, D.C.(Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long questioned the safety and efficacy of many vaccines, and is now scrutinizing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) childhood vaccine schedule. A move facing mixed criticism from physicians and scientists, but prompting concern from many public health authorities. 

RFK Jr. was confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services, the cabinet position that oversees the CDC, on February 13, 2025. This sparked controversy and outrage as Kennedy has a long history of spreading vaccine skepticism and medical misinformation, including spouting the debunked claim that vaccines cause autism despite the overwhelming evidence that proves vaccines are safe and effective. Moreover, during his Senate confirmation hearings, he claimed he’s not “anti-vaccine” but “pro-safety”. On June 9th, RFK Jr. retired the 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), touting it as a move to restore public trust and signaling a break from the past administration. The ACIP is a group of medical experts that advises the CDC on which vaccines people should receive, what is covered by insurance, and which shots are made free to millions of low-income children. However, some of the newly appointed committee members have spread misinformation about COVID and opposed vaccine mandates, and have faced criticism from former members who believe that they lack expertise on vaccinology, primary care, cost effectiveness, and clinical trials. Moreover, many top medical organizations and public health groups have questioned the integrity of the group’s advice due to misinformation, politicization of public health efforts, and sudden changes to federal vaccine guidance. 

One change discussed by the ACIP is to the childhood vaccine schedule, a timetable pediatricians use to administer the sequence of more than 30 doses to protect against more than a dozen diseases. The committee suggested altering the combined MMRV shot recommendation, moving to separate the MMR and varicella shots for toddlers rather than administering a combined one. Moreover, they also considered delaying other vaccinations, such as the first hepatitis B shot at birth, but the consensus is still unsettled. Some officials welcome the changes, but some are concerned that these changes are a part of Kennedy’s campaign against vaccines. Experts are alarmed by the splitting of the MMR vaccine, as giving kids three separate shots would mean more trips to the doctor and more needles. This could potentially lead to children missing vaccines and delays in vaccinations due to the development of these new shots. The Committee rationed these changes to safety concerns, parental trust, and vaccine adverse event monitoring, but public health experts say that the evidence does not support discarding the existing schedule. Experts warn that lowering vaccine uptake due to confusion or loss of trust could lead to outbreaks of preventable diseases, and the decision to split the MMR vaccine may reduce compliance even if safety issues are small. This move signals a shift from standardized national vaccine schedules to more individualized or variable schedules, challenging state-level immunization laws and school entry requirements.

According to insiders, the usual process of evidence review, working groups, and broad scientific consensus appears to have been bypassed or weakened. During a Senate panel, former CDC Director Susan Monarez revealed that RFK Jr. had notified her of the childhood vaccination schedule change in September. Moreover, Kennedy asked her to approve the changes before reviewing scientific evidence and admitted to the absence of evidence supporting the changed schedule. RFK Jr. also asked for blanket approval of the committee’s recommendations, regardless of scientific evidence, to fire CDC officials responsible for vaccine policy, and ordered her not to speak with U.S. Senators.

RFK Jr. framed his vaccination changes as an attempt to restore public trust, increase transparency of safety data, and reduce what he considers conflicts of interest in vaccine policy. He argues that the prior schedule and advisory process needed a full overhaul due to alleged “bureaucratic inertia” or compromised science. Critics counter that the possible risks will undermine years of public health progress. Moreover, programs that provide free vaccines to children depend on ACIP/CDC recommendations for coverage and will be affected by these alterations. The changes to these guidelines may set precedents for how other vaccines are handled in the U.S. moving forward, impacting the rest of the population.