Federal Vaccine Policy Shift Linked to Declining Rates and Measles Resurgence

Federal vaccine policy has shifted under the Trump administration, with fewer routine childhood vaccinations recommended and increased emphasis on individual decision-making, leading to greater skepticism about vaccine safety. This change, spearheaded by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has coincided with declining childhood vaccination rates, rising exemptions, and a major measles resurgence across several states. The U.S. has reported nearly 3,887 confirmed measles cases in 2026 as of October 1, exceeding the total for all of 2025.