WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Health and Human Services issued a new charter for the National Vaccine Advisory Committee dated July 7, 2026. The new charter instructs the Vaccine Committee to broaden its focus beyond vaccines to include other tools to curb the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases for people who cannot or will not be immunized.

The committee advises the Department of Health and Services on vaccine use and safety. Under the updated mandate, the new charter suggests that tools to curb disease spread should include healthy lifestyles, dietary supplements, and the repurposed use of already approved FDA drugs.

This guidance expands the scope of interventions the committee is directed to evaluate. The charter identifies non-vaccine approaches as part of the strategy to address disease transmission among populations that do not receive immunizations. The inclusion of already approved FDA drugs for repurposed use marks a shift in the types of medical interventions under review.

The new charter also alters the composition of the advisory body. It places a larger focus on members of the public serving on the Vaccine Committee. The document suggests limiting the number of academics who conduct industry-funded vaccine research from serving on the committee.

These structural changes adjust the balance of expertise and perspective within the group. The Vaccine Committee was previously composed primarily of scientists who studied vaccines, physicians, and public health officials. The revised charter seeks to reduce the proportion of members with direct financial ties to vaccine manufacturers through research funding.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the health secretary. The issuance of the charter falls under the authority of the Department of Health and Services leadership. The advisory committee operates within the department's framework for assessing public health measures related to infectious diseases.

The Vaccine Committee has historically focused on vaccines as the primary tool for preventing infectious diseases. The new charter directs the group to consider a wider array of interventions, including lifestyle factors and existing medications. This shift affects how the committee formulates advice for federal health policy regarding disease prevention strategies for unvaccinated populations.

Changes to committee membership criteria aim to increase public representation and limit the influence of industry-funded research. By restricting the number of academics with industry funding ties, the charter modifies the professional background of advisors. The emphasis on public members introduces different perspectives into the committee's deliberations on vaccine use and safety.