Kennedy ordered the CDC to scrub its digital 'Wild to Mild' flu vaccine campaign that juxtaposed a lion next to a kitten as an analogy for how the shot 'tames' the virus. 

The campaign was a response to falling flu vaccination rates and an especially vicious flu season. 

But Kennedy wants the CDC to move away from nudge tactics and focus its vaccine communications on 'informed consent' – which involves telling the patient the medical risks and benefits and letting them come to their own decision.

Meanwhile, the year's first meeting of the CDC's influential panel of vaccine experts has been delayed indefinitely, marking the first time the meeting has been postponed in over 40 years, except for during the emergency Covid pandemic.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) was due to meet next week to discuss its recommendations on shots for Covid, meningococcal virus, influenza, RSV, HPV, and monkeypox.

The orders, which come at the tail-end of Kennedy's first week as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, have sparked worry among some health professionals. 

They fear changing the narrative to potentially focus on the risks of the vaccines, whose primary side effect is pain at the injection site, could result in far fewer people getting potentially life-saving shots.

During his Senate confirmation saga, RFK was pressed on the issue of vaccines by Louisiana Republican Bill Cassidy, a physician and staunch advocate of vaccinations. 

Sen Cassidy was particularly alarmed at Mr Kennedy's repetition over the years of controversial claims that vaccines are linked to rising rates of autism.

RFK made assurances that he would not alter the existing vaccine schedule and said he would provide advanced notice to Congress before implementing any changes to vaccine safety guidelines.