The national percentage of kindergartners with an exemption from one or more vaccine rose to 3.6%, hitting a new high for the fourth year in a row.
Though no details were provided, Kennedy says he wants to "fix" the federal program, which compensates people who report vaccine injuries.
In a revised policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics says exempting children from immunizations for nonmedical reasons creates unnecessary risks to individuals and communities.
Intent to vaccinate was similar among pregnant women and parents, at 35% to 40%.
There was no evidence that cumulative aluminum exposure in vaccines in the first 2 years of life led to an increased risk of any of the 50 chronic conditions.
An ecological study finds increased uptake of recommended childhood vaccines was associated with a 47% decrease in the rate of overall antibiotic prescriptions from 2000 through 2019.
The lawsuit contends that coordinated actions were designed to mislead, confuse, and gradually desensitize the public to anti-vaccine and anti-science rhetoric.
Relative to before the pandemic, the number of vaccinated participants fell 10% among children and 4% in adults in pandemic year 1, dropping 19% and 14%, respectively, the next year.
Experts warn that the federal vaccine advisory group's decision to revisit childhood immunizations and its controversial vote on thimerosal will undermine confidence in vaccines.
Leaders also committed $4.5 billion in additional financing.
