HHS Seeks Public Comment on Vaccine Recommendation Categories

The Department of Health and Human Services has posted a request for information in the Federal Register asking whether the three categories used for vaccine recommendations—routine, risk-based, and shared clinical decision-making—are adequate, and whether new categories such as "recommended, but not during infancy" should be added. The move follows an executive order that reduced the number of universally recommended childhood vaccines. Critics, including the American Academy of Pediatrics' attorney, argue the request is a predetermined step to restructure vaccine policy.

The request specifically asks whether current categories convey meaningful differences in evidence strength, individual and population benefit, and room for personal circumstances. HHS also proposes incorporating recommendations from international peer agencies, reflecting Secretary Kennedy's prior comments about aligning U.S. childhood vaccine schedules with global consensus. The document invites commenters to address evidence quality, disease severity, individual versus population benefit, and religious freedom considerations.

The agency additionally seeks input on vaccine mandates' effects and lessons from COVID-19 pandemic communications. Major medical organizations, including the Infectious Diseases Society of America, are expected to submit comments, while the American Academy of Family Physicians has requested an extension. Hughes, representing the American Academy of Pediatrics in its lawsuit against HHS, characterized the inquiry as a procedural veneer over a predetermined policy agenda.