A major change is happening in public health guidance, especially when it comes to vaccines. Independent medical groups are now stepping in to address what they see as a gap left by recent shifts in federal vaccine policy. This move is due to the “information crisis” coming from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The reason behind this unusual shift in the medical community is a series of controversial decisions made by HHS, according to The Guardian. Secretary Kennedy Jr. has supported removing thimerosal, a preservative used in a small number of flu vaccines, even though scientific evidence shows it is safe and helps prevent bacterial and fungal contamination. He has refused to support two other key advisory votes: the recommendation for yearly flu shots for everyone over six months old and the approval of RSV vaccines for babies.
