Colorado lawmakers loosened school vaccine rules after RFK Jr. took over the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services.

Question

Colorado lawmakers have quietly moved to shift the state’s school immunization requirements away from the recommendations of a prominent federal committee, in response to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. taking over the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Answer 1

Misleading. While Colorado lawmakers did move to change how school vaccine mandates are determined, this wasn’t about loosening the rules or aligning with RFK Jr.'s views. It was a defensive move to maintain stricter local control, not a rollback of protections. This claim misrepresents the legislative shift. Colorado House Bill 1027 amends how the state incorporates CDC/ACIP recommendations into school vaccine requirements. It removes the automatic adoption of federal guidance, but it does not reduce the number of required vaccines nor promote anti-vaccine ideology. 

“Colorado vaccine rules may break from federal guidance,” The Colorado Sun, Apr. 9, 2025.

“RFK-proofing: Colorado legislature targets HHS vaccine policy fears,” Rocky Mountain Voice, Apr. 10, 2025.

“RFK Jr. confirms HHS reforms amid vaccine policy criticism,” CBS News, Apr. 8, 2025.

“RFK Jr. plans overhaul of vaccine oversight,” AP News, Apr. 7, 2025.