States reject anti-vax bills

Public health groups fight MAHA.

One Essential Read One Essential Read Recommended by Kate Turton, Newsletter Editor US states reject anti-vaccine bills as public health groups fight MAHA    Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during the inaugural Make America Healthy Again summit in Washington, D.C. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo Dozens of state anti-vaccine bills backed by "Make America Healthy Again" supporters have failed. Public health groups won over Republican state lawmakers, marking a series of defeats for the backers of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  The groups had set out this year to pass ‌laws against mandatory vaccinations in at least 10 states, hoping to capitalize on a rise in anti-vaccine sentiment and their role in helping elect President Donald Trump. Instead, vaccine advocates used polling data and personal appeals to convince lawmakers in Republican-controlled states that their constituents support vaccination. The White House has directed Kennedy not to take further steps against vaccines ahead of the November midterm elections, when Republicans will defend a slim majority in Congress. Read the full article   Sponsors are not involved in the creation of newsletters or other Reuters news content. Advertise in this newsletter or on Reuters' website   Reuters One Essential Read is sent three days a week. Think your friend or colleague should know about us? Forward this newsletter to them. They can also sign up here. Want to stop receiving this email? Unsubscribe here. To manage which newsletters you're signed up for, click here. This email includes limited tracking for Reuters to understand whether you’ve engaged with its contents. For more information on how we process your personal information and your rights, please see our Privacy Statement. Terms & Conditions   © 2026 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. 3 Times Square, New York, NY 10036