Federal authorities halt advice on administering the measles vaccine for young children aged four and under.
In a move that has sparked both debate and concern, the U.S. Secretary of Health, Robert Kennedy Jr., has appointed a committee to reevaluate certain vaccination recommendations. The committee, which is 'pro-vaccine', is planning to evaluate COVID-19 vaccines this Friday.
One of the first recommendations to be revised is the combined measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox vaccine. The decision to separate these vaccinations for children under four years old has been justified due to the minimal and harmless secondary effects associated with the combined vaccine. However, specialists have warned against this measure, stating that it would needlessly sow doubts and complicate access to these vaccines for children.
The change in recommendation may be followed by changes in other vaccination recommendations. For instance, other vaccinations, especially for pregnant women, will be re-examined later, according to Martin Kulldorff, the biostatistician leading the committee.
The committee, which also includes Robert Kennedy Jr., a prominent figure in the anti-vaccine movement, is evaluating changes in the vaccination of newborns against hepatitis B. They are also planning to address concerns about the vaccines' safety in various populations, including reconsideration of vaccine guidelines and addressing concerns about the vaccines' safety.
The advisory committee, subordinated to US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., was appointed by the US Department of Health and Human Services and planned to evaluate a wide range of issues regarding COVID-19 vaccinations. This includes revising broad COVID vaccine recommendations and reassessing the use of mRNA vaccines, with the goal of developing evidence-based policy recommendations on vaccine safety and effectiveness.
Epidemiologist Syra Madad stated that any change should strengthen, not weaken, the system that ensures the health of our children. Wilbur Chen, an infectious disease specialist, has expressed concerns that the committee has no intention of debating based on solid science and only repeats false information.
The survey, conducted by The Washington Post and the non-profit organization KFF, was based on over 2,500 parents. A survey released on Wednesday shows that the majority of these parents still support current vaccination requirements. However, one in six parents in the U.S. avoids or delays vaccination, citing lack of trust in vaccines and health authorities.
The U.S. is experiencing its worst measles outbreak in over 30 years in 2025, with three deaths, including two children. The vaccination rate for preschool children against measles has decreased nationally from 95% in 2019 to 92.5% in 2024. In Idaho, the vaccination rate for preschool children against measles is below 80%, far from the recommended 95% for herd immunity.
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