Statement on RFK Jr.’s Updated Childhood Vaccine Schedule

January 5th, 2026

As expected, today’s announcement from HHS on the updated childhood vaccine schedule includes no information on how parents or providers should determine what’s best for individual children. There is a lack of information, guidance, and transparency in how these recommendations were made. These recommendations: 

• Do not help us protect children in the US, especially children from low-income families or those without easy access to a healthcare provider, such as those who live in rural areas.

• Do not empower parents and guardians to make informed decisions.

• Do not take into account the special circumstances of children who have weakened immune systems. 

The announcement fails to acknowledge that certain vaccines are meant to protect our friends, neighbors, and family members who are more likely to become severely ill or even die when they get sick. These recommendations are meant to confuse parents, limit access to vaccines, and push RFK Jr’s political agenda at the expense of children’s lives.  While healthcare providers will continue to make the best decisions for individual patients, public health will continue to care for entire communities. This is not gold-standard science, and it will not restore trust in vaccines or public health. 

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