At a Glance
- HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reshaped the department, cutting jobs and research funding.
- He removed CDC vaccine recommendations for healthy children and pregnant women and fired the advisory committee.
- He launched the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative targeting toxic exposures and childhood disease.
- Why it matters: These moves shift public health guidance and scientific research priorities.
In his first year as HHS Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has dramatically restructured the department, slashing staff, cutting research budgets, and reshaping vaccine policy, sparking debate among public health experts.
The Shake-up of HHS
Kennedy announced a sweeping reorganization that closed agencies, consolidated others into a chronic-disease focus, and laid off roughly 10,000 employees, with an additional 10,000 already leaving via buyouts. The move also saw the dismissal of four NIH directors, the former FDA vaccine chief, and a recently hired CDC director. These cuts reduced the department’s $1.7 trillion budget and eliminated thousands of research projects.
- 10,000 layoffs
- 10,000 buyouts
- $500 million mRNA contract termination
Vaccine Policy Changes
Kennedy fired the 17-member CDC vaccine advisory committee and replaced many members with skeptics. The CDC subsequently stopped recommending COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women, and reversed longstanding guidance on the hepatitis B birth dose. In November, he directed the CDC to abandon its stance that vaccines do not cause autism, adding a disclaimer that the old language remained due to a pledge to Senator Bill Cassidy.
Lawrence Gostin stated:
> “In the immediate or intermediate future, the United States is going to be hobbled and hollowed out in its scientific leadership.”
Andrew Nixon said:
> “In 2025, the Department confronted long-standing public health challenges with transparency, courage, and gold-standard science,” Nixon said in a statement.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said:
> “I don’t know how many people died during the COVID-19 pandemic,” during a Senate Finance Committee hearing.
- No COVID-19 vaccine for healthy children and pregnant women
- No recommendation for combination chickenpox-measles-mumps-rubella shot
- Reversal of hepatitis B birth dose
- CDC abandons vaccine-autism claim
MAHA Initiative and Public Response
Kennedy promoted the MAHA agenda, calling for elimination of artificial dyes, fluoride in water, and junk food subsidies. The initiative also urged scrutiny of raw milk and vaccine skepticism, drawing criticism from experts. Other federal officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and EPA administrator Lee Zeldin, aligned with MAHA goals.
- Targeted toxic exposures
- Focus on childhood chronic disease
- Pressure on processed foods and dyes
Reactions and Criticisms
Public health experts and doctors have expressed grave concerns over the department’s reshaping and vaccine policy changes. Lawrence Gostin warned that the U.S. would be “hobbled and hollowed out” in scientific leadership. HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon denied any threat to scientific expertise, claiming the department would strengthen accountability and protect public health.
Lawrence Gostin stated:
> “In the immediate or intermediate future, the United States is going to be hobbled and hollowed out in its scientific leadership.”
Andrew Nixon said:
> “In 2025, the Department confronted long-standing public health challenges with transparency, courage, and gold-standard science,” Nixon said in a statement.
Key Takeaways
- Kennedy’s overhaul reshaped HHS, cutting staff and research.
- Vaccine policy shifts removed key recommendations and replaced advisory staff.
- The MAHA agenda targets toxic exposures but faces expert criticism.
Kennedy’s first year has redefined HHS, but the long-term impact on public health guidance and scientific research remains uncertain.
