1. Secretary Kennedy takes no responsibility for measles outbreaks
Under questioning during multiple congressional hearings in April 2026, Secretary Kennedy refused to accept responsibility for the increasing number of measles outbreaks. He stated that the outbreaks began before he became Secretary and suggested that the global increase in measles cases absolved him of responsibility. However, Secretary Kennedy did acknowledge that the vaccine was generally “safe and effective” and safer than getting measles.
Editor’s Note: Sec. Kennedy failed to acknowledge his own role in undermining vaccine confidence domestically and abroad during his 20-year campaign against vaccines. Nor did he acknowledge that he minimized the outbreak in the Southwest, reduced funds for outbreak response, and failed to endorse vaccination clearly in public statements, while emphasizing unproven interventions. It is untrue that global outbreaks have led to significant US outbreaks recently. In 2017, when there was a global outbreak, the United States had just 120 cases. In 2025, the United States had 2,144 confirmed cases, with no evidence that they originated outside the country.
2. Military no longer requires flu vaccination
On April 21, 2026, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that members of the military are no longer required to receive the annual flu vaccine, a requirement that has been in place since the 1950s because members of the military live in close quarters. He stated, “We’re seizing this moment to discard any absurd, overreaching mandates that only weaken our war-fighting capabilities. In this case, this includes the universal flu vaccine and the mandate behind it.”
Editor’s Note: For more than a century, it has been clear that influenza outbreaks—and not efforts to prevent such outbreaks—weaken war-fighting capabilities.
3. Acting CDC Director blocks publication of a study on value of Covid-19 shots
Previously, the Straight Shot discussed a delay in the publication of a CDC study demonstrating that healthy adults who received the Covid-19 vaccine were 50% less likely to visit the emergency department and be hospitalized last winter than people who did not get it. Despite clearing the agency’s scientific review process, Acting CDC Director Bhattacharaya has now ordered that the study not be published at all over disagreements over the study methodology. One former CDC official stated that he could not remember an article ever being rejected in this manner.
Editor’s Note: An administration that claims to pursue radical transparency is now refusing to publish a study supported by agency scientists, keeping evidence about the effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccine from the American people.
4. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) leaders stop publication of vaccine studies
The New York Times has reported that over the past few months, senior leaders at the FDA have prevented the publication of several studies examining the safety profile of vaccines against Covid-19 and shingles. Two articles examining the safety of the Covid-19 vaccine were withdrawn after they had already been accepted for publication by journals, and staff were prevented from submitting evidence about the safety and effectiveness of the shingles vaccine to a conference. None of the studies found any unexpected safety concerns with the vaccines.
Editor’s Note: Both FDA and CDC are censoring research that undermines Secretary Kennedy’s narrative about vaccines. This pattern of withholding information will continue to undermine trust in our country’s scientific agencies.
5. United States holds up global vaccination funds
We have previously reported on various actions that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has taken against Gavi, an organization that supplies vaccines for global immunization campaigns. In the latest blow, the administration has now withheld $600 million appropriated by Congress from the organization. The missing funds represent approximately 15% of Gavi’s budget. Secretary Kennedy is demanding that Gavi phase out thimerosal-containing vaccines because he believes these vaccines are dangerous.
Editor’s Note: For over 20 years, Robert F. Kennedy has alleged that thimerosal-containing vaccines are more harm than help, despite all the evidence to the contrary. As secretary, he is now taking this crusade global. His actions will hurt those living in low-income countries who will be denied the opportunity to receive needed vaccines.
6. Government appeals federal court decision
On April 29, 2026, the Trump administration appealed the legal ruling that the changes to the federal vaccine schedule made by Secretary Kennedy in January 2026 were illegal (we discussed this previously here). Secretary Kennedy’s changes reduced the number of recommended diseases against which children would be routinely vaccinated from 18 to 11. The lawsuit now being appealed, brought by the American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical organizations, blocked these changes for the time being.
Editor’s Note: Even if the changes are ultimately blocked, continued appeals by the administration will further confuse the American public as to which vaccines are recommended and increase the chance of disease outbreaks.
