(Reuters) -U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a long-time vaccine skeptic, has been making sweeping changes to reshape U.S. regulation of vaccines, food and medicine.
The most far-reaching of his moves culminated in the layoff of all 17 members of a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panel of vaccine experts.
Here are some of the policy moves under Kennedy’s leadership in recent months, related to vaccines:
FDA Recommendations for Influenza Vaccines
Date of Announcement: March 13, 2025
Details: The FDA independently recommends virus strains for the 2025-2026 influenza vaccines, deviating from traditional advisory committee voting. This move assures no impact on the timing or availability of vaccines for the public.
Environmental Toxin Studies Related to Autism
Date of Announcement: April 16, 2025
Details: Kennedy plans studies on environmental contributors to autism, including vaccines, despite lacking scientific evidence. This approach aligns with his longstanding views on vaccines and environmental factors.
Launch of US Autism Project Using Medicare and Medicaid Data
Date of Announcement: May 7, 2025
Details: Federal agencies will create a database to research autism causes, focusing on Medicare and Medicaid data, as part of a broader effort to explore potential links between vaccines and autism.
FDA Tightens Requirements for COVID Vaccine
Date of Announcement: May 20, 2025
Details: The FDA plans new trials for annual COVID-19 boosters, limiting them to older adults and those at risk of severe illness. This change aligns with international perspectives on COVID vaccination strategies.
US Drops COVID Vaccine Recommendation for Healthy Kids, Pregnant Women
Date of Announcement: May 27, 2025
Details: The U.S. stops recommending routine COVID vaccinations for pregnant women and healthy children, bypassing the CDC’s traditional advisory process.
Cancellation of Moderna Bird Flu Vaccine Contract
Date of Announcement: May 28, 2025
Details: The Trump administration cancels a contract with Moderna for the late-stage development of its bird flu vaccine, after determining it did not meet scientific standards. Moderna explores alternatives for its vaccine’s development.
Kennedy Guts Vaccine Advisory Committee
Date of Announcement: June 9, 2025
Details: Kennedy fires all members of the CDC vaccine expert panel, which recommends how vaccines are used and by whom, promising to restore public trust in health agencies. Scientists and experts say the changes would undermine public confidence in health agencies.
(Reporting by Christy Santhosh and Padmanabhan Ananthan in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D’Silva)
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