The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has officially reinstated the Task Force on Safer Childhood Vaccines, a federal advisory group originally established by Congress to enhance vaccine safety and oversight for children in the United States.1
Disbanded in 1998, the Task Force will now resume operations under the leadership of National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Jay Bhattacharya, who will serve as Chairman. Senior representatives from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will also participate.1
According to HHS, the Task Force will collaborate closely with the Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines and focus on improving the development, monitoring, and refinement of pediatric vaccines. A key priority will be reducing the frequency and severity of adverse reactions associated with currently available immunizations.1
In his press release statement, Bhattacharya emphasized the group's role in restoring scientific confidence: “By reinstating this Task Force, we are reaffirming our commitment to rigorous science, continuous improvement, and the trust of American families.”1
The Task Force will also examine recent advancements in vaccine formulation and distribution, improve adverse event reporting systems, and guide safety research. Its first formal report to Congress is expected within two years, followed by biennial updates.1
HHS officials described the decision as part of a broader push to modernize the nation’s immunization programs and ensure all public health measures remain evidence-based, transparent, and responsive to evolving safety data.1
What You Need To Know
The HHS has reinstated the Task Force on Safer Childhood Vaccines after a 27-year hiatus, aiming to enhance oversight and improve the safety of pediatric immunizations in the US.
Led by NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya and involving senior FDA and CDC officials, the Task Force will prioritize reducing adverse reactions and refining vaccine development and monitoring processes.
The initiative is part of a broader federal effort to modernize immunization programs, with a focus on transparency, scientific rigor, and restoring public trust in vaccine safety.
Background Context: Rising Vaccine Exemptions and Public Concerns
Earlier this month, we reported the CDC's report on childhood vaccine exemptions in the US reached a record high, with 3.6% of kindergartners opting out of one or more vaccines during the 2024–2025 school year, up from 3.3% the year prior. Immunization rates for measles (MMR) and pertussis (DTaP) continue to decline, and measles cases have already exceeded 1,300 in 2025, the highest annual total since 2000.2
In July 2025, HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr approved a recommendation from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to remove thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, from all influenza vaccines administered to children, pregnant individuals, and adults in the US.3
The preservative, historically used in multi-dose vials to prevent bacterial contamination, has been the subject of public scrutiny. Although according to agencies including the FDA, CDC, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, studies have shown no credible evidence linking thimerosal to autism or other major health concerns.3
Manufacturers have stated they are able to meet demand through the use of single-dose, preservative-free formulations, ensuring supply chain continuity for both pediatric and adult influenza vaccines.3
In a separate scientific development, a nationwide Danish cohort study published in Annals of Internal Medicine on July 15, 2025, examined the long-term health outcomes of over 1.2 million children. The study found no increased risk of chronic autoimmune, allergic, or neurodevelopmental disorders associated with aluminum-containing vaccines.4
We interviewed lead author and epidemiologist Anders Peter Hviid, who noted that the study was partially motivated by previous CDC data suggesting a potential association between aluminum adjuvants and childhood asthma. Although, the study’s results did not confirm that association, they provided further evidence supporting the safety of aluminum-based adjuvants.4
“We were able to isolate the effects of aluminum exposure from the vaccines themselves,” Hviid noted. “For most of the 50 chronic outcomes we studied, we found no meaningful risk increase—and in some cases, even a slight decrease.”4
Taken together, these developments, rising vaccine exemptions, changes in preservative use, new safety data, and now the reactivation of a federal advisory task force, highlight both the complexity of public vaccine policy and the ongoing need for transparent, science-based decision-making.
While perspectives on vaccine safety may vary among the public, the stated goal of the HHS-led Task Force is to reinforce evidence-based oversight and maintain public confidence in the US immunization system.
References
2.Vaccination Coverage and Exemptions among Kindergartners. CDC. July 31, 2025. Accessed August 1,8 2025.
https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html
3.HHS Adopts ACIP Recommendation to Remove Thimerosal from All U.S. Influenza Vaccines. HHS. July 23, 2025. Accessed August 18, 2025.
4.Andersson NW, Bech Svalgaard I, Hoffmann SS, Hviid A. Aluminum-adsorbed vaccines and chronic diseases in childhood : a nationwide cohort study. Ann Intern Med. Published online July 15, 2025. doi:10.7326/ANNALS-25-00997.
