01/06/2026
๐จ Big Change in Pediatric Vaccines ๐จ
The federal government will no longer pay doctors based on how many kids they vaccinate. The new policy from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) removes financial incentives tied to vaccination rates, aiming to protect medical freedom and informed consent.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says this restores trust in pediatric care, and experts warn that previous incentives distorted medical judgment, pressured parents, and eroded trust. Doctors could earn $40โ$85 per child for COVID shots alone, creating conflicts between metrics and patient care.
While states could still offer incentives, this federal move is seen as a step toward ethically restoring the doctor-patient relationship and making vaccinations just another medical choice, not a cash-driven metric.https://www.medicaid.gov/federal-policy-guidance/downloads/sho25005.pdf