Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said his department launched an investigation into a complaint alleging a school “illegally vaccinated a child.” “@HHSGov has launched an investigation into a troubling incident where a midwestern school administered a federally funded vaccine to a child despite a legally recognized state exemption,” RFK Jr. said. “If a provider ignores consent, violates an exemption, or keeps parents in the dark, HHS will act — quickly and decisively. We will use every tool we have to protect families and restore accountability,” he continued. Watch the health secretary’s video address: .@HHSGov has launched an investigation into a troubling incident where a midwestern school administered a federally funded vaccine to a child despite a legally recognized state exemption. If a provider ignores consent, violates an exemption, or keeps parents in the dark, HHS… pic.twitter.com/tKT4B40560 — Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) December 4, 2025 Fox News has more: Kennedy did not identify the state, the school or the vaccine said to be involved. Kennedy said that the Trump administration will ensure that health care providers and institutions will not ignore parental rights when it comes to their children’s health. “We will use every tool we have to protect families and restore accountability,” he said. Kennedy said HHS is launching compliance reviews of major providers and healthcare systems to ensure that they give parents timely access to their children’s information. He said a letter will be issued reminding providers of “their clear legal duty” to share medical records with parents — with “no delays, no secrets, no excuses.” A second letter from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) went to HRSA grant recipients, stressing that federal dollars require compliance with laws protecting parental rights. “Today, we are putting pediatric medical professionals on notice: you cannot sideline parents,” RFK Jr. said. “If you believe your rights, or your child’s rights, have been violated, file a complaint with our Office for Civil Rights,” he stated, adding a link to file complaints. If you believe your rights, or your child’s rights, have been violated, file a complaint with our Office for Civil Rights at https://t.co/iACS4a42eK — Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) December 4, 2025 HHS stated in a release: The investigation by HHS’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) into the reported violation of the exemption from vaccination will examine whether the school failed to comply with the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC) requirement that conditions federal provision of vaccines for immunization on compliance with state religious and other exemptions from compulsory vaccination. OCR will also examine how the state agency and school district process religious exemption requests to ensure compliance with state law when implementing the VFC program. Program providers receive vaccines purchased for the VFC by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “The Vaccines for Children Program should never circumvent parents’ rights,” said Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary and CDC Acting Director Jim O’Neill. “Secretary Kennedy’s decision to probe potential abuse of the VFC is a necessary step in restoring public trust in immunization policy.” OCR’s letter to health care providers spells out parents’ right to access their children’s protected health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule. Under the Privacy Rule, a parent is the personal representative of his or her minor child where the parent has the legal authority to make health care decisions for the child. The letter reinforces that parents who are their children’s personal representatives can exercise their children’s rights with respect to protected health information, including the right of access. OCR is also initiating compliance reviews of a number of large health care providers to ensure that parents receive timely access to their children’s health information. As part of these actions to protect parents’ rights, HRSA is directly addressing the parental consent obligations that apply to HRSA-supported services for minors. Before a minor receives medical, dental, behavioral health, or other services at a HRSA-supported health center, the center must obtain consent from a parent or legal guardian in accordance with applicable state or federal law. This requirement applies to all forms of care, including treatment, preventive services, counseling, and services involving sensitive topics such as sexual identity or reproductive health. Existing state, federal, and local laws on parental consent and notification already apply, and HRSA is now clearly detailing these expectations as a condition of receiving Health Center Program funding. HRSA will also send a notice to grant recipients outlining this obligation.