Story perspectives

U.S. Officials Shift Stance on Childhood Vaccines Amid Election

4/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. health officials are shifting their stance on childhood vaccines ahead of the November midterm elections, including the birth hepatitis B shot.
They have not publicly supported these changes.
At conferences, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and NIH head Jay Bhattacharya downplayed vaccine talks.
Anti-vaccine rhetoric persists, with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Mark Gorton advocating elimination of immunizations.
Polls show bipartisan support for childhood vaccines, making anti-vaccine messaging politically risky.

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Story summary

U.S. health officials are shifting their stance on childhood vaccines ahead of the November midterm elections, including the birth hepatitis B shot.
They have not publicly supported these changes.
At conferences, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and NIH head Jay Bhattacharya downplayed vaccine talks.
Anti-vaccine rhetoric persists, with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Mark Gorton advocating elimination of immunizations.
Polls show bipartisan support for childhood vaccines, making anti-vaccine messaging politically risky.