Break from past recommendations comes amid warning of scientific backslide under leadership of HHS secretary RFK Jr.
A vaccine advisory panel appointed by controversial HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has not recommended universal COVID vaccinations for U.S. residents over six months old, marking a shift from previous guidelines and raising concerns about scientific rigor and vaccine skepticism under Kennedy’s leadership. Critics, including former CDC Director Susan Monarez, warn that this decision could create confusion and reduce vaccination rates, ultimately putting vulnerable populations at greater risk.
