HHS and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s 2025 Actions on COVID-19 Vaccines
In 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), under the leadership of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has taken notable actions and made statements regarding COVID-19 vaccines.
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HHS Initiatives and Policy Changes
Upon his appointment as HHS Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. initiated significant shifts in vaccine policy:wsj.com
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Review of Vaccine Contracts: Kennedy suspended a $460.7 million contract with Vaxart for an oral COVID-19 vaccine and is re-evaluating a $590 million contract with Moderna for a bird flu vaccine.
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Formation of New Advisory Committees: He is assembling a new committee to recommend vaccines and is considering implementing conflict-of-interest policies that could disqualify current members. wsj.com
Statements on Vaccine Safety and Efficacy
Secretary Kennedy has expressed intentions to scrutinize vaccine safety and efficacy:
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Advocacy for Transparency: In a post-confirmation interview, Kennedy emphasized the need to provide better information on vaccine efficacy and side effects, criticizing existing safety studies. time.com
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CDC’s Planned Study on Vaccines and Autism: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is preparing an extensive study to investigate possible links between vaccines and autism, despite substantial scientific evidence disproving such connections. New York Post
Public Health Implications
The actions and statements by Secretary Kennedy and HHS have elicited varied responses:
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Concerns Among Health Professionals: Health professionals have criticized the termination of studies aimed at improving vaccine trust and access, emphasizing the importance of understanding public concerns about vaccines to improve public health. apnews.com
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Impact on Vaccine Confidence: There are concerns that Kennedy’s leadership could undermine the U.S. vaccine program and public confidence in essential immunizations. newyorker.com
In 2025, under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Department of Health and Human Services has adopted a more critical stance on vaccine policies, emphasizing transparency and safety evaluations. These developments have sparked discussions within the public health community regarding the potential impacts on vaccination programs and public trust.
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Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, vaccine policy, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., HHS, vaccine safety, public health