HHS Secretary Kennedy Calls for US to Emulate Denmark's Vaccine Policy

Critics argue Denmark's small population and universal healthcare make it an unsuitable model for the US

Feb. 12, 2026 at 7:07pm

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Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his 'Make America Healthy Again' (MAHA) allies have repeatedly called for the U.S. to emulate Denmark's vaccine policy, which recommends fewer childhood and adolescent vaccines than the U.S. This has confounded lawmakers and spurred criticism from public health experts, who argue Denmark's small population and universal healthcare system make it an unsuitable model for the much larger and more diverse United States.

Why it matters

The administration's focus on Denmark as a model has raised concerns about the potential impact on public health, with critics arguing that the U.S. should not simply copy and paste policies from other countries without understanding the underlying healthcare systems and structures.

The details

Kennedy and MAHA have reduced the recommended childhood and adolescent vaccines from 17 to 11, aligning with Denmark's recommendation of 10 vaccines. They argue the U.S. was an outlier in its previous vaccine policy. However, experts note that Denmark's position as a vaccine outlier is likely due to its small population size and universal healthcare system, which allows for a more targeted public health approach. In contrast, the U.S. has a much larger and more diverse population, making it difficult to replicate Denmark's model.

  • In December 2025, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) heard a presentation arguing the U.S. should avoid 'overmedicalizing childhood' and that 'time in pediatricians' offices can be spent differently'.
  • In February 2026, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his MAHA allies continued to call for the U.S. to emulate Denmark's vaccine policy.

The players

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary who has repeatedly called for the U.S. to emulate Denmark's vaccine policy.

MAHA (Make America Healthy Again)

An organization allied with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that has supported reducing the recommended childhood and adolescent vaccines in the U.S.

Giridhar Mallya

A senior policy officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation who criticized the administration's focus on Denmark as a model.

Reginald Williams II

A senior vice president at the Commonwealth Fund who argued the U.S. cannot simply replicate Denmark's universal healthcare system and targeted public health approach.

Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester

A Democratic senator who questioned why the U.S. is comparing itself to Denmark, a much smaller country.

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What they’re saying

“If you're wealthy from Boston, you're going to have one experience. And if you're less wealthy, if you're poor from a rural town in Louisiana, you're going to have another.”

— Sen. Bill Cassidy, Republican senator from Louisiana (The Hill)

“The focus on Denmark is starting with the answer and then setting up the questions in a way that you land on Denmark as the answer.”

— Giridhar Mallya, Senior policy officer, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (The Hill)

“When you're a country of 6 million people, you have the ability to deploy a robust public health system to address outbreaks or to address specific population needs, because you know from your universal system who are the people that need care.”

— Reginald Williams II, Senior vice president, Commonwealth Fund (The Hill)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.