RFK Jr. Slashes US Vaccine Recommendations from 17 to 11 in Unprecedented Overhaul

The needle is moving, but in a direction that's sparking intense debate. Under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., federal health officials on Monday announced a massive reduction in the number of recommended immunizations for children. The list, which previously included 17 vaccines, has been pared down to just 11. It's an abrupt shift that challenges decades of established public health policy in the United States.

The RFK Jr. US Vaccine Policy Overhaul: The Denmark Rationale

Officials cited a desire to align US recommendations with other high-income nations, specifically Denmark. However, the comparison is drawing scrutiny. Denmark is a small, relatively homogeneous nation of 6 million people—a population smaller than that of New York City—with a universal healthcare system. Critics argue that transplanting this model to the diverse and decentralized US landscape may ignore critical public health nuances.

Rebuilding Trust or Risking Outbreaks?

In a statement, Kennedy emphasized that this decision "protects children, respects families, and rebuilds trust in public health." The administration claims that reducing the vaccine burden is necessary to address the decline in public trust—a decline that activists, including Kennedy himself, have been vocal about for years. While the administration sees this as a path to reconciliation with skeptical parents, many in the scientific community worry it could lead to a resurgence of preventable diseases.