HHS Updates Vaccine Recommendations
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
I’m catching up on all the developments going on at the Dept of Health and Human Services since RFK Jr. was confirmed as the director. This month I’ll focus on the new developments regarding immunization practices and recommendations. As you can see from this overview, there have been a lot of changes and way too much to deep dive into everything. I will say that I’m disappointed in the administration’s continued infatuation with the mRNA technology as that entire platform must be eliminated.
However, on the whole, these are changes in the right direction. The administration, committees, and other special hearings are focused on illuminating the science (or lack thereof) as well as corruption and industry (i.e. Big pHarma) influence backing previous decisions and recommendations.
There are several new items to watch in 2026! The ACIP will continue to meet and make further recommendations regarding immunizations. Also, Children’s Health Defense is suing the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) accusing the organization of “running a decades-long racketeering scheme to defraud American families about the safety of the childhood vaccine schedule.” I am so looking forward to this!
Another is that Rand Paul (Senator from KY) has introduced legislation that “seeks to dismantle the liability protections established under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986”. This is HUGE. Currently, if a vaccine is on the childhood schedule it is immune from liability and “claims alleging vaccine-related injury must proceed through this federal compensation system rather than traditional civil courts.” We want to make drug manufacturers liable and accountable.
If you haven’t seen AN INCONVENIENT STUDY - FEATURE FILM about a vaxxed/un-vaxxed cohort of children, it is well worth your time.
Below is a summary of the changes for 2025 and early 2026. (abbreviations below)
May 1 2025
Launched the “Generation Gold Standard” whole-virus platform to develop universal influenza & coronavirus vaccines, signaling a strategic pivot away from proprietary mRNA technology toward government-owned, broad-spectrum candidates. Link: hhs.gov
July 23 2025
Adopted ACIP’s recommendation to remove all thimerosal (mercury)-containing formulations from U.S. flu vaccines; only single-dose, preservative-free products may now be distributed. Link: hhs.gov
Aug 5 2025
Began winding down every BARDA-funded mRNA vaccine project (22 contracts cancelled/de-scoped) after an internal review found limited effectiveness against upper-respiratory disease. Resources re-directed to “safer, broader” platforms. Link: hhs.gov
Aug 14 2025
Re-instated the federal Task Force on Safer Childhood Vaccines (originally disbanded 1998) to oversee continuous safety monitoring and transparent R&D for the pediatric schedule. Link: hhs.gov
Sept 4 2025
OCR letter reminded states and VFC providers that religious & conscience exemptions for childhood mandates must be honored under federal civil-rights law. (We really just need to end all mandates.) Link: hhs.gov
Sept 19 2025
ACIP shifted COVID-19 shots to “shared / individual decision-making” for everyone ≥6 months (strongest benefit for high-risk groups; optional for others). CDC schedules updated accordingly. Link: hhs.gov
Dec 4 2025
ACIP replaced the universal “give at birth” HBV recommendation with shared/individual decision-making for infants whose mothers test HBsAg-negative. Link: cdc.gov
Jan 5 2026
Acting on a presidential directive, CDC streamlined the U.S. childhood immunization schedule to match peer nations:
• Core “for-all-children” list trimmed to 11 diseases (e.g., MMR, polio, DTaP, Hib, PCV, HPV, varicella).
• Other vaccines placed in “high-risk” or “shared decision” categories.
• Insurance coverage retained for every ACIP-listed product.
Link: hhs.gov
A couple of highlights from the December ACIP meeting include:
Aaron Siri’s presentation “Evolution of the Childhood/Adolescent Vaccination Schedule in the U.S. and Comparison with Other Developed Countries” starts at 2:59:00
Tracy Beth Hoeg’s presentation on “U.S. vs. Danish schedule” starts at 5:00:00. Her research formed the backbone of the recommendation that was made on January 5th to streamline the US childhood schedule.
These are both very scientific and very informative and worth your time to watch.
Both talks are at https://www.youtube.com/live/kUgXRUpKal4
Abbreviations:
CDC = Center for Disease Control
ACIP = Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
BARDA = Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority
OCR = Office for Civil Rights
VFC = Vaccines for Children program