Statement From Richard Besser, MD, on HHS Overhaul of Childhood Vaccine Schedule

PRINCETON—The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is recommending fewer vaccines for most American children. Dr. Richard Besser, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, released the following statement in response:

Secretary Kennedy has said that people should not take medical advice from him. This announcement shows exactly why that's the case.

Secretary Kennedy's changes to the recommended childhood vaccine schedule, once again, put our children at increased risk. For decades, recommended vaccines have ensured that children have the chance to learn, grow, play, and reach their full potential. By deliberately undermining parents' trust in vaccination, Secretary Kennedy is putting many more children at increased risk of preventable illness and disease.

Over the past 30 years, vaccines recommended by the CDC have saved the lives of more than one million children. Each addition to the vaccine schedule has meant that more diseases have been avoided, and fewer children and their families have had to suffer. Each change to that schedule has been carefully weighed and thoroughly vetted by scientists and medical experts.

This announcement deviates completely from that approach. Secretary Kennedy has not released any evidence to justify removing vaccines from the recommended list. This announcement is rooted in ideology, not medicine and intentionally circumvents decades of vaccine safety evidence.

Further, Secretary Kennedy's assertion that the United States has lower rates of vaccination because we vaccinate against more diseases has no basis in reality. He has done more than anyone to spread confusion, fear and lies about vaccines. That is a major reason why vaccination rates are declining and deadly outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases are on the rise.

As a pediatrician, I urge parents to ignore the political noise coming from Washington and talk about vaccines with medical providers who you trust. You deserve to hear the facts to inform your decisions. Every child needs adults committed to helping them grow up healthy and keeping them safe.

For more information or to speak with an expert, contact media@rwjf.org.

About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

RWJF is a leading national philanthropy dedicated to taking bold leaps to transform health in our lifetime. Through funding, convening, advocacy, and evidence-building, we work side-by-side with communities, practitioners, and institutions to get to health equity faster and pave the way together to a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right.