US Health Department Seeks Feedback on Vaccine Guidelines Post-Trump Order

HHS has posted a notice inviting comments on potential changes to vaccine categories, such as whether some vaccines should be recommended for infants or at later stages, and how timing and sequencing should be addressed. The department is also exploring options for broader age windows or separate visits for vaccinations.

Members of the public, including parents and healthcare professionals, have until September 20 to submit their comments. The executive order aligns with long-standing goals of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has promoted debunked links between vaccines and autism.

The agency is specifically asking for feedback on the concept of shared decision-making between patients and doctors, acknowledging potential risks like confusion, lower vaccination rates, and increased clinician time. HHS noted a decline in public trust in federal health authorities following the COVID-19 pandemic, citing concerns that past recommendation processes were perceived as rushed, which damaged the credibility of the vaccine system. The department stated that the feedback will help inform its consideration of whether the current framework adequately supports scientific rigor, informed choice, and public trust.