HHS and Vaccination Policy

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Wednesday that the department has opened an investigation into a Midwestern school for allegedly vaccinating a child without parental consent despite a state religious exemption. In a video statement on X, he said HHS will launch compliance reviews of major providers, issue letters reminding providers of parents’ rights to timely access to children’s medical records, and have HRSA warn grant recipients that federal funds require adherence to parental‑rights protections. HHS will also review how states and districts process medical and religious exemptions under the Vaccines for Children program, and directed parents to file complaints with the HHS Office for Civil Rights.