Overview
- Backed by President Trump, the HHS secretary has proceeded with workforce cuts and reorganization even as some firings face legal challenges and a proposed new agency stalls in Congress.
- After replacing all 17 ACIP members with new appointees, the panel voted to end universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth and shifted several recommendations toward individual choice.
- Major medical societies have sued over the vaccine-policy changes, with the case pending and the department seeking dismissal.
- Public-health messaging now centers on the Make America Healthy Again brand, while pro-vaccine advertising and longstanding prevention campaigns have sharply declined, according to tracking data and staff accounts.
- High-level departures and the firing of the Senate-confirmed CDC director prompted warnings that the agencies’ scientific capacity has been weakened, as the administration contemplates further changes to preventive-care advisory bodies.