RFK Makes More Changes To Vaccine Schedules

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has dropped its universal recommendation for annual COVID-19 vaccines for all Americans aged six months and older, shifting to a “personal choice” approach.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), recently reconstituted under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., voted to make the change last month, and the updated schedule was approved on October 6, 2025 by Acting HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill.

O’Neill stated, “Informed consent is back,” emphasizing individualized discussions between doctors and patients rather than a blanket mandate. The CDC’s previous guidance had recommended ongoing boosters for all eligible Americans, but new federal guidance now advises that the vaccine be taken based on personal risk factors and medical advice.

The agency also announced a significant change to pediatric vaccination: children around 12 months old will now receive separate MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and varicella (chickenpox) shots, rather than the combined MMRV vaccine, after studies suggested a slightly higher—but rare—risk of febrile seizures among toddlers receiving the combination shot.

According to the CDC, about 85% of U.S. adults completed their primary COVID vaccination, but only 23% received the most recent booster. The decision follows the FDA’s narrowing of authorization for updated boosters—now targeted primarily for adults over 65 and those with underlying conditions.

Despite the policy change, most major insurers confirmed they will continue to cover COVID vaccinations through 2026.

Public health experts remain divided. Some argue the move reintroduces medical autonomy and may improve trust, while others fear it could lead to lower vaccine uptake and heightened vulnerability during potential future surges.

Critics also note that the ACIP’s new membership—12 out of 17 members were replaced earlier this year, with several known for vaccine-skeptic backgrounds—has influenced the agency’s tone toward “risk-benefit” decision-making.

The CDC defended its decision as a response to evolving data and public sentiment, stressing that COVID vaccines remain safe and effective. Numerous studies show they have prevented millions of hospitalizations and deaths since 2021.

Main Points

CDC ends universal COVID vaccine recommendation, replacing it with an individual-based choice model.
New ACIP panel approved the change under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Pediatric guidelines now separate MMR and chickenpox (MMRV) vaccines for initial doses.
Experts worry the shift could lower vaccination rates and weaken herd immunity.
Insurers will still cover vaccine costs through at least 2026.

Projections

Potential Positive Outcomes (Pro):

Encourages personalized care and informed consent in medical decision-making.
May restore trust among vaccine-hesitant individuals.
Could reduce over-vaccination and unnecessary medical interventions for low-risk groups.

Potential Negative Outcomes (Con):

May result in lower vaccination rates, increasing susceptibility to new COVID variants.
Could undermine public health messaging and strain hospitals during seasonal outbreaks.
Reversal may signal politicization of CDC policy, eroding confidence among global health partners.

Sources

ABC News
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) official statements