The Relentless School Nurse: School Nurses, Vaccines, and the Challenge to Public Health

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s vaccine research, conducted in fall 2024, provides valuable insights into effective vaccine communication strategies for schools. However, the recent appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services in February 2025 has significantly altered the landscape of vaccine policy and public health messaging in the United States. 

The research conducted by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation revealed that parents and caregivers overwhelmingly support required vaccines for school attendance and trust school nurses as reliable sources of vaccine information. The study found that 44% of respondents preferred a Q&A format from a school nurse, appreciating their medical expertise and ability to address potential concerns. This underscores the critical role that school nurses play in vaccine communication and public health efforts within educational settings.

Our research affirms that when school nurses have something to say, caregivers are listening. They trust school nurses’ medical expertise and appreciate it when they anticipate potentially sensitive questions that parents may not feel comfortable bringing up. – Dr. Jessica Reggi

The current political climate under Kennedy’s leadership at HHS presents significant challenges to these findings. Kennedy has initiated policy changes that could undermine vaccination efforts, including lifting federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates and reviewing potential updates to vaccine guidelines. The impact on school nursing is likely to be substantial. School nurses, who were identified as trusted messengers in the Alliance’s research, may find ourselves in a difficult position. On one hand, we are viewed as credible sources of vaccine information by parents and caregivers. On the other hand, we may face pressure from new federal policies that downplay the importance of vaccinations or question their safety.

School nurses may need to navigate an increasingly complex landscape of vaccine hesitancy and misinformation. The research showed that effective communication should be brief, respectful, and informative. However, with Kennedy’s leadership potentially amplifying vaccine skepticism, school nurses may need to adapt our communication strategies to address a wider range of concerns and misconceptions.

Kennedy’s actions, such as canceling or delaying meetings concerning flu vaccinations and other immunizations, could directly impact school vaccination programs. School nurses may face challenges in implementing and promoting these programs if federal support and guidance are reduced or altered. The potential restructuring of key vaccine advisory committees, including the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), could also affect school nursing practices. These committees often provide guidelines that inform the states’ school vaccination policies. Changes in their composition or recommendations could lead to confusion or inconsistency in school health practices across the country.

School nurses, who play a crucial role in vaccine education and surveillance, may need to adapt our approaches to maintain public trust and promote vaccination in an increasingly complex environment. As the situation continues to evolve, it will be essential for school nurses to stay informed, remain adaptable, and continue to prioritize the health and safety of students and communities.