The Trump administration has put vaccine policy back in the spotlight. With changes in leadership and executive orders multiplying, everyone wants to know – where are we going?
Vaccine Mandates – Where Are We?
Military Vaccine Mandates
President Trump has signed executive orders aimed at reinstating service members who were discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccinations. The measures include restoring rank and providing back pay. While some argue this move is necessary to rectify unfair dismissals, others like the National Institute of Health (NIH) worry about its implications for military readiness and health protocols.
Educational Institutions
In a recent executive order, President Trump directed the Department of Education to withdraw federal discretionary funding from educational institutions – schools and universities – requiring students to have a COVID-19 vaccine to attend in-person classes. This policy marks a stark departure from previous public health initiatives that aimed at curbing vaccine-preventable diseases in educational settings. Experts warn that such measures could lead to lower vaccination rates among school-aged children, increasing the risk of outbreaks.
Health Care Workers
The Trump administration has not yet issued any executive orders relating to health care workers and their vaccination status. Health care workers are advised to receive several vaccines, including Hepatitis B, flu, COVID-19, varicella, MMR, Tdap/Td, and meningococcal. While some states require health care employers to offer the flu vaccine, it is not mandatory. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates that employers offer the Hepatitis B vaccine to workers with occupational exposure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual flu shots, COVID-19 vaccines, and other immunizations to prevent outbreaks in health care settings.
A New Dose of Debate: Vaccine Policy Issues on the Horizon
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. made his case during his confirmation hearings that he is not anti- or pro-vaccine but pro-safety. Although he didn’t win over the vote of Senate Democrats, he did win the crucial vote of Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), a physician by training, and chair of the powerful Senate HELP Committee. Sen. Cassidy remained clear that Sec. Kennedy promised him that he would uphold the public health value of vaccines.
Make America Healthy Again Commission
Speaking of Sec. Kennedy, he will head the newly formed “Make America Healthy Again Commission,” an effort to bring high-level attention to and government collaboration on preventing chronic diseases in children. While the Commission could have addressed vaccine safety and vaccine mandates for children, the executive order establishing the effort does not mention vaccines.
ACIP Panel Is Delayed
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a group of health experts who develop recommendations on the use of vaccines at the CDC, recently announced a delay in one of their regular meetings. The committee, which meets only three times a year, explained that the delay was due to the need for additional time for public comment. The delay came days after Sec. Kennedy stated he would investigate if childhood vaccine and anti-depressant medications are linked to chronic disease. The committee’s meeting agenda is set to cover numerous vaccines including meningococcal, influenza, and chikungunya.
Who is Calling the Shots?
The nominations of Dr. Dave Weldon as the CDC Director and Dr. Marty Makary as the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner have raised concerns among public health experts due to their critical or skeptical views on vaccine mandates.
Weldon, a former congressman and medical doctor, has questioned the safety of vaccines and has been particularly outspoken on the now-debunked view that vaccines can cause autism. Makary, a surgeon and author, opposed vaccine mandates and some other public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If confirmed, their leadership could signal a shift in public health strategy, potentially moving away from stringent vaccine mandates toward a more flexible and individualized approach. This change may result in revised communication strategies, potentially altering public perception and compliance with vaccine recommendations. These approaches to vaccine communication and policy could dramatically influence compliance rates and overall public health outcomes
Implications for the Public and Health Care Providers
Public Health Outcomes
One of the major concerns about rolling back vaccine mandates is the potential resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases.
In 2024, Oregon experienced its most significant measles outbreak since the early 1990s, with 31 confirmed cases—the highest in over three decades. All cases occurred among unvaccinated individuals, predominantly children under 18. The Oregon Health Authority noted that the first cases were identified in June, with no new cases reported after August 11, 2024. As children returned to school and the respiratory virus season approached, health officials emphasized the critical importance of vaccination.
Historically, school vaccine mandates played a crucial role in eliminating diseases like measles in the U.S. If vaccination rates decline, outbreaks of diseases once thought to be under control could become a pressing public health crisis.
Health Care Providers
Lower vaccination rates could result in increased health care utilization as preventable diseases reemerge, placing a significant strain on hospitals and providers. A surge in vaccine-preventable illnesses may lead to overcrowded emergency departments, higher hospitalization rates, and increased demand for intensive care services, stretching already limited resources. Additionally, as health systems allocate more time and funding to managing outbreaks, routine and elective care may be disrupted, further compromising patient outcomes.
The Vaccine Gamble Ahead
The election of President Trump and the confirmation of Sec. Kennedy signal a new era for vaccine policy in the US. Further review of vaccine safety and efficacy, as well as a potential reversal of decades of public health initiatives, seems like the future. As the FDA and CDC heads go through the confirmation process and get installed in their agencies, it seems like the future is now.