RFK Jr. faces vaccine decisions May 13

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is approaching a set of vaccine decisions that could put the Trump administration’s public posture on health policy under renewed scrutiny. Politico reported on May 13 that the health secretary must soon weigh new recommendations on flu and Covid-19 vaccines, a pending Moderna mRNA shot, U.S. funding for overseas immunization efforts, and whether to rebuild a federal vaccine advisory panel after a judge blocked his earlier overhaul. The White House has tried to steer Kennedy toward food policy, drug pricing and other “Make America Healthy Again” themes ahead of the 2026 midterms, according to Reuters reporting published May 4. KFF Health News reported May 13 that Kennedy has spent recent public appearances emphasizing healthy foods and family outreach while still fielding questions about vaccine policy. (politico.com) A March 16 ruling by U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy blocked parts of Kennedy’s earlier vaccine-policy push, including changes tied to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP. That court order did not remove the underlying decisions now facing Kennedy; it raised the stakes around how he handles them and whether the administration follows regular process. (usnews.com) ### Which vaccine calls are now sitting on Kennedy’s desk? Politico reported that Kennedy must decide in the coming months whether to recommend new flu and Covid-19 vaccines, whether to sign off on a new Moderna vaccine that uses mRNA technology, and whether to release funding for vaccines distributed in developing countries. The same report said he also must decide whether to recreate the advisory panel he had remade to pursue childhood vaccine policy changes that were later thrown out in court. (nbcnews.com) The CDC’s ACIP calendar lists its next regular meeting for June 24-26, 2026. ACIP recommendations are a central step in the federal process for vaccine guidance, and the committee’s schedule makes that meeting the next visible milestone in the vaccine-policy pipeline. ### Why is the advisory panel still central after the court fight? The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices advises the CDC on vaccine use and helps shape the childhood and adult immunization schedules. (politico.com) Reuters reported on April 7 that Kennedy’s department rewrote the panel’s membership rules after Murphy said most of Kennedy’s prior selections were “distinctly unqualified” and put their decisions on hold. (cdc.gov) The CDC said on January 5 that Acting Director Jim O’Neill had accepted recommendations from a federal review of the childhood immunization schedule after a December 5, 2025 presidential memorandum from President Donald Trump. That January action became part of the legal fight over whether the administration had followed the procedures normally used for vaccine recommendations. (nbcnews.com) ### What is the fight over overseas vaccine funding? A bipartisan group of senators has pressed the administration to release $600 million appropriated for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, in fiscal 2025 and 2026. CIDRAP reported that lawmakers told Secretary of State Marco Rubio the money expires on September 30 if it is not released. Politico reported on April 28 that the State Department has been withholding the money because of concerns raised by Kennedy. (cdc.gov) CIDRAP said lawmakers described Gavi as a partnership that helps poorer countries buy and deliver vaccines protecting children against 20 infectious diseases. ### How has Kennedy tried to change the public focus? Reuters reported on May 4 that White House officials asked Kennedy to stop taking additional anti-vaccine steps this year and instead pursue faster health-policy wins before the midterms. (cidrap.umn.edu) That report said the administration viewed Kennedy’s appeal to parts of the Republican coalition as politically useful, even as some of his vaccine moves drew internal concern. (politico.com) KFF Health News reported on May 13 that Kennedy has recently leaned into appearances centered on toddlers, nutrition and family messaging. That shift has not ended questions about vaccine policy because the pending decisions remain unresolved and tied to formal federal processes. ### What happens next, and when? June 24-26 is the next scheduled ACIP meeting, according to the CDC. September 30 is the deadline lawmakers cited for the release of the $600 million in Gavi funding. (usnews.com) And Politico reported that decisions on flu, Covid-19 and a Moderna mRNA vaccine are expected over the next few months, leaving Kennedy, HHS, the CDC and the White House with a series of concrete deadlines rather than a settled truce on vaccines. (cdc.gov) (kffhealthnews.org)