RFK Jr. Eyes Overhaul of U.S. Vaccine Recommendation Labels
Health Secretary RFK Jr. is proposing a potential reclassification of how vaccines are recommended in the U.S., via a new Request for Information that asks whether the current three categories—routine/universal, risk-based, and shared clinical decision-making (SCDM)—should be renamed or replaced with options like “recommended with qualification” or “shared clinical decision-making with qualification.” The public comment period runs through Sept. 20. While Kennedy has signaled changes, no rules have been adopted yet, and past attempts to alter vaccine guidance have faced legal hurdles; the RFI appears to be part of a broader effort to reassess how strong the evidence and individual circumstances are reflected in vaccine recommendations.
