The news: Federal health officials have changed their advice on two vaccines for young children.

The committee that advises the CDC on vaccines has narrowed its recommendation for the MMRV vaccine (which protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox). They no longer recommend it for children under four. Instead, it advises children under four should get two separate shots: the MMR vaccine and the chickenpox vaccine.

Additionally, the committee has delayed its decision on the Hepatitis B vaccine for newborns. They were expected to vote on removing the vaccine from the recommended schedule, but have put off the vote indefinitely.

How we got here: National vaccine policies have shifted dramatically since President Trump appointed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead HHS. Kennedy, a known vaccine skeptic, has replaced the federal vaccine advisory panel with his own members, personally changed COVID-19 guidelines, and is accused of pressuring the now-fired CDC director to approve his recommendations.

Why it matters: While the federal government publicly backtracks on childhood vaccine safety, medical experts and physician groups are doubling down on vaccine endorsements.

Parents who were already getting mixed messages about vaccines on social media are even more confused.

• One in six (16%) parents delayed or skipped at least one vaccine for their children, not including flu or COVID-19, per a KFF-Washington Post study last week.
• Parents who were more likely to skip included Republicans (22%), those who identify with Trump’s “Make America Great Again” plan (25%), under age 35 (19%), and those who homeschool (46%).

Our take: Public trust in federal health authorities was already shaky, but every new clash between Kennedy’s anti-vaccine advocates and medical experts makes pharma marketers’ and agencies’ jobs harder. Public health guidance can no longer rest solely with federal bodies. Vaccine makers need to support state and local health agencies, amplify community vaccination efforts, and partner with physicians and trusted online health voices to reinforce safety messages.

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