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A federal appeals court heard arguments over Kennedy’s ACIP appointments as the CDC canceled the committee’s October meeting, marking its third canceled meeting this year; Lawmakers pressed Kennedy and CDC Director Dr. Erica Schwartz for answers on changes to federal health advisory bodies, childhood vaccine policy, measles reporting, and vaccine access.

A coalition of 17 states renewed its legal challenge to federal vaccine policy changes, filing an amended complaint targeting the revised childhood immunization schedule, Kennedy’s ACIP appointments, and the end of the universal hepatitis B birth dose recommendation; More than 2,500 physicians urged the Senate to reject FDA Commissioner nominee Dr. Heidi Overton, citing concerns about her role in recent vaccine policy changes and the agency’s scientific independence.

During her confirmation hearing last week, FDA Commissioner nominee Dr. Heidi Overton told senators the MMR vaccine is safe and effective, while HHS Deputy Secretary nominee Chris Klomp advanced out of the Senate Finance Committee (Sep. 24) and Surgeon General nominee Dr. Nicole Saphier advanced out of the HELP Committee (Sep. 30); CDC named Dr. David Sugerman as the new Acting Director of its immunization and respiratory disease center following a recent reorganization that merged the agency’s flu and Covid divisions.

During their Senate hearings, HHS Deputy Secretary nominee Chris Klomp and Surgeon General nominee Dr. Nicole Saphier faced questions on vaccines and public health policy, with both appearing on track for confirmation ahead of scheduled votes this week; President Trump proposed dividing certain vaccines into smaller doses administered over time, as Kennedy highlighted ongoing vaccine policy changes at a Children’s Health Defense conference—signaling that further changes to childhood vaccine policy may be ahead.

An Army physician who has previously questioned Covid vaccine safety is reviewing military health data and VAERS reports for potential vaccine-related adverse events as part of an advisory role to Kennedy, though the reports themselves do not establish causation; Illinois, Maryland, and New York issued or endorsed independent respiratory-season vaccine guidance, reflecting a growing state role in shaping immunization policy as federal recommendations continue to evolve.

Leading medical societies released coordinated respiratory immunization recommendations for the 2026-2027 season, providing clinicians and patients with evidence-based guidance on flu, Covid, and RSV; The FDA permanently appointed Dr. Michael Davis and Karim Mikhail to lead its drug and vaccine centers, respectively, bringing permanent leadership to two key regulatory divisions following months of turnover.

Leading medical societies released updated respiratory immunization recommendations, while the Vaccine Integrity Project published updated evidence reviews supporting Covid, flu, and RSV immunization ahead of the 2026-2027 respiratory virus season; Updated Covid and flu vaccines are moving into place for the fall respiratory season. The CDC has updated the clinical considerations for flu vaccines, but uncertainty around federal Covid immunization recommendations leaves questions surrounding access, coverage, and availability.

HHS is seeking public input on whether federal vaccine recommendation categories should be changed or expanded, an early step toward implementing President Trump’s new Executive Order on childhood vaccine policy; CDC Director Dr. Erica Schwartz addressed agency staff for the first time, emphasizing scientific rigor and transparency and confirming her role on the Task Force on Safer Childhood Vaccines.

New CDC Director Dr. Erica Schwartz takes office as the Administration considers how to implement President Trump’s vaccine Executive Order, with existing CDC childhood immunization recommendations remaining in place for now; HHS is seeking nominees for the NVAC after revising its charter to expand the committee’s focus on non-immunization strategies and shift membership criteria.

The Trump Administration issued a new Executive Order directing further changes to childhood vaccine policy, including fewer vaccines routinely recommended for all children, greater use of shared clinical decision-making, and a push to separate combination vaccines and increase the number of medical visits for vaccination; Medical and public health organizations strongly opposed the Executive Order, arguing that the changes are not supported by new evidence and could create additional barriers to vaccination.