Understanding Vaccine Access in a Shifting Landscape

Throughout 2026 and 2025, the United States has experienced significant upheaval in the federal vaccine policy landscape, leaving a vacuum of credible national guidance. This vacuum has made childhood vaccinations a confusing and complicated topic for families at a time when routine vaccinations are already declining. In response, new infrastructure was rapidly created to fill the gap, while existing stakeholders expanded their roles to ensure continued broad access to vaccines. This Grantmakers In Health (GIH) Issue Focus provides an overview of the current vaccine policy landscape and describes how health funders can respond to threats to vaccine access.