Trump seeks public comment on vaccines
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The gist
Trump administration seeks public comment on vaccine categories. Experts warn it may limit vaccine access and sow confusion.
Background
The Trump administration published a notice in the Federal Register asking for public feedback on the current categories for vaccine recommendations (routine, risk-based, shared clinical decision-making). This move comes after Trump signed an executive order earlier this month to pare back vaccine recommendations, which experts say could sow confusion and limit access. The notice is part of a broader effort by the administration, including HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to reshape vaccine policy.
How it unfolded
- Aug 10, 2026President Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to pare back vaccine recommendations, including splitting the MMR vaccine into three separate shots.
- Aug 16, 2026Senator Bill Cassidy criticized the order as 'crazy, stupid' and 'wrong on so many levels,' saying it would increase the number of shots children receive.
- Aug 21, 2026HHS published a notice in the Federal Register seeking public comment on vaccine recommendation categories, with a 30-day comment period.
Who’s saying what
- Experts
- Public health experts like Dorit Reiss and Wendy Parmet say the process sidesteps CDC expertise and could limit vaccine access and increase confusion.
- Administration
- The HHS notice states that public input will help inform whether the current category structure serves scientific rigor, informed choice, and public trust.
- GOP Lawmaker
- Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician, called the order 'crazy, stupid' and said it would raise costs and make vaccines less accessible.
Still unverified
The notice does not reference the earlier HHS move in January that was halted by a federal judge, nor the lawsuit. The administration's claims about vaccines and autism are disputed by researchers.