The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is experiencing turmoil following the removal of its director Susan Monarez amid conflicts with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy’s changes to COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, including removal from pregnancy and healthy children schedules, and restricting 2025–26 vaccines to seniors and high-risk groups, are prompting fragmented state-level responses. Public health experts warn about the impact of politicization on vaccine access and safety communication ahead of pivotal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meetings.