The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has halted its public campaign promoting seasonal flu shots, citing a new direction from top health official Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who recently became the country’s top health official. The campaign, launched last year with ads featuring animals, was meant to highlight how vaccines can prevent severe flu infections.
According to sources, Kennedy wants vaccine advertisements to emphasize “informed consent” instead of their safety benefits. However, experts say that an overemphasis on potential harms could deter people from getting vaccinated. Flu vaccines have few and generally mild risks, including short-lived reactions at the injection site and headaches.
The CDC notes that there is an inconsistent association between flu shots and Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare nerve condition, but even when seen, it’s in the range of 1 or 2 cases per million flu shots administered. This decision comes as the US struggles with one of the worst flu seasons in 15 years.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/health/2025/02/rfk-jr-promptly-cancels-vaccine-advisory-meeting-pulls-flu-shot-campaign