Vaccination Strategies

Based on the article titled:

Guiding Vaccination Strategies for Small Practices Across Specialties

by Karen Blanchette

Vaccinations remain a vital tool for preventing infectious diseases safeguarding patients and communities. For small physician practices across all medical specialties in the United States—especially General Practice, our largest audience segment, alongside Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ob/Gyn), Allergy/Immunology, and others—adapting to recent federal policy changes is critical to delivering high-quality care. As medical office managers, practice administrators, and physicians, you face the challenge of balancing evolving guidelines, patient trust, and operational demands. This article provides practical strategies to support your patient communities, addressing the latest HHS developments while prioritizing evidence-based care.

Recent HHS Vaccination Policy Changes

Since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. became HHS Secretary in February 2025, significant policy shifts have impacted practices across specialties. These changes, aimed at enhancing transparency and public trust, require careful navigation to ensure compliance and patient safety.

COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations

In May 2025, Secretary Kennedy announced that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer routinely recommended for healthy children aged 6 months to 17 years or healthy pregnant women. The CDC now uses a “shared clinical decision-making” model, allowing providers and patients to assess individual risks and benefits. This shift, bypassing the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), may affect insurance coverage, as private insurers and Medicaid often align with CDC recommendations. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program’s inclusion of COVID-19 vaccines is also uncertain, potentially increasing patient costs.

General Practice and Pediatric offices, which handle childhood vaccinations, should carefully record all vaccine discussions, especially when parents choose not to vaccinate, to maintain clear records and support ongoing patient care. Ob/Gyn practices must address maternal vaccination questions, as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) supports COVID-19 vaccines for high-risk pregnancies, citing a 61% reduction in infant hospitalizations from maternal vaccination. Allergy/Immunology specialists, often serving immunocompromised patients, may see increased demand for tailored vaccine guidance under this model.

Overhaul of ACIP and Vaccine Outreach

On June 9, 2025, Secretary Kennedy dismissed all 17 ACIP members, citing conflicts of interest, and is replacing them for the committee’s June 25–27, 2025, meeting, which will address vaccines for COVID-19, RSV, influenza, HPV, and meningococcal disease. This move, reported by ABC News and The New York Times, has raised concerns about the expertise of new appointees, with critics like Senator Susan Collins noting limited vetting time.

In April 2025, HHS underwent a major restructuring, with 10,000 staff cuts across CDC, FDA, and NIH, potentially impacting vaccine outreach efforts. Unconfirmed reports on X suggested the dissolution of a team focused on undervaccinated communities, underscoring the need for practices to stay informed through CDC and professional networks like PAHCOM. For example, CDC grant cuts led to the cancellation of 50 vaccine clinics in Texas, affecting access in underserved areas.

These developments signal potential shifts in vaccine recommendations, particularly for specialties like General Practice and Family Medicine, which serve diverse populations.

Other Vaccination Guidance

The CDC’s core recommendations for childhood and maternal vaccines, including the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, remain unchanged. Pediatric Vaccines: Essential for General Practice and Pediatrics, the schedule includes two MMR doses to protect against measles, a highly contagious disease with 1,168 U.S. cases reported in 2025, 96% among unvaccinated individuals.[](https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/should-you-get-a-measles-vaccine-booster)