Background

Changes to the U.S. vaccine schedule

In June 2025, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired all 17 members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel and replaced them with new members, some of whom have questioned vaccines or shared misleading information.

In December 2025, President Trump asked officials to compare the U.S. vaccine schedule with other countries, like Denmark, and consider giving fewer shots.

By January 2026, the CDC cut the number of recommended childhood vaccines from 17 to 11. Vaccines for Hepatitis A, flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and meningitis are now only suggested for high-risk children or after talking with a doctor.

This change drops the U.S. from one of the most complete vaccine schedules in the developed world to one of the least. Many public health experts and medical groups have criticized the move, as it could make preventable disease outbreaks more likely.

Sen. Cassidy’s Concerns

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, M.D., is one of the experts challenging the vaccine schedule.

"As a doctor who treated patients for decades, my top priority is protecting children and families. Multiple children have died or were hospitalized from measles, and South Carolina continues to face a growing outbreak. Two children have died in my state from whooping cough. All of this was preventable with safe and effective vaccines," Cassidy said on the social media platform X. "The vaccine schedule IS NOT A MANDATE. It’s a recommendation giving parents the power. Changing the pediatric vaccine schedule based on no scientific input on safety risks and little transparency will cause unnecessary fear for patients and doctors, and will make America sicker."

Critics say Denmark’s much smaller population of roughly 6 million, compared to the U.S.'s around 348 million, and its far different healthcare system make it an extremely poor comparison for U.S. vaccine policy.

Cassidy, also a member of the Senate Finance Committee and chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, played an important role in confirming Kennedy last year. He said his main concern was Kennedy’s long history of questioning vaccine safety and repeating unproven claims that vaccines cause autism.

The new panel and its impact

Cassidy is worried that Kennedy, who has long opposed vaccines, might not change his mind. Even so, Cassidy voted to confirm him because he was promised a say in decisions. During Kennedy’s second confirmation hearing,

Since then, Cassidy has been frustrated. Kennedy replaced a key vaccine panel with people who are skeptical of vaccines or mRNA technology. Kennedy says the new panel is qualified, but experts and Cassidy say many members have anti-vaccine views.

The old panel had years of experience, medical knowledge, and no conflicts of interest. They helped the CDC decide which vaccines people should get and which shots are free for low-income children.

Noel Brewer, a former member of the committee who was dismissed by Kennedy in June, said the new panel is missing important expertise and shouldn’t be making U.S. vaccine rules in a statement.

The panel has made controversial decisions, like banning flu vaccines with thimerosal, even though studies show they are safe. Some states are now ignoring the panel’s guidance because they worry it may be based on opinions, not science.

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