Health Secretary Kennedy criticizes CDC vaccine classification scheme and shared decision-making category

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., serving as Health Secretary, has raised concerns about how the CDC categorizes vaccine recommendations.

The CDC uses three categories: routine recommendations for universal use, risk‑based recommendations, and a shared clinical decision‑making (SCDM) category where doctors discuss options with patients or guardians.

Kennedy argues that the SCDM category may unintentionally suggest that parental consent or clinical discussion is not required for the other two categories, potentially undermining informed consent.

He highlighted this issue in a recent Request for Information filed with the Federal Register, following a prior directive from former President Trump to separate the MMR vaccine.

The challenge could prompt a review of how vaccine guidance is presented, though no regulatory change has been announced yet.