By Rita Cook
AUSTIN – Last week Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton introduced a “wide-sweeping” investigation into unlawful financial incentives related to childhood vaccine recommendations.
Researching the pros and cons of childhood vaccines in Texas, I found no cons and many pros, which a number of parents would disagree.
In 2026 children in Texas were required to be vaccinated for Polio, MMR (measles, mumps, and Rubella), Hepatitis B, Varicella (Chickenpox), DTaP, Hib, HepA, PCV, and Meningococcal, with specific doses required for school entry depending on the age of the child.
Vaccines like COVID-19, Flu, Hep A/B, and Rotavirus requirements also changed moving toward risk-based or parent-directed decisions.
In some cases, parents are allowed exemptions for their children’s vaccinations. In the case of medical exemptions, a signed statement from a licensed physician is necessary. There is also a provision for personal belief exemptions, including religious objections. However, not all schools are required to honor them.
Regarding Paxton’s investigation, a media release from his office mentioned “a multi-level, multi-industry scheme” that might be illegally” incentivizing medical providers to recommend childhood vaccines that are not proven to be safe or necessary.
“The wide-sweeping investigation will analyze an incentivization framework that has historically forced Texas kids to receive over 70 shots from birth to age 18 in order to continue receiving medical care,” Paxton said.
The investigation will also examine whether pediatric medical providers, insurance companies, vaccine manufacturers, or other entities engaged in deceptive or unlawful conduct by failing to disclose financial incentives connected to their administration of childhood vaccines.
The investigation is being introduced as children in Texas are expelled from pediatric practices and denied medical care based on their vaccination status.
“Doctors’ wages, bonuses, and even employment often hinge on the number of vaccinations they administer,” the released explained.
As part of the investigation, Paxton is issuing over 20 Civil Investigative Demands (“CIDs”) to some of the largest medical providers, insurance companies, and pharmaceutical manufacturers in the country, including entities like UnitedHealthcare and Pfizer.
“I will ensure that Big Pharma and Big Insurance don’t bribe medical providers to pressure parents to jab their kids with vaccines they feel aren’t safe or necessary,” Paxton said. “Alongside President Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy’s significant efforts to ensure safety when it comes to childhood vaccines, my office will fight to protect kids’ health and uphold transparency in the medical industry.”
Reportedly, pharmaceutical companies make money on childhood vaccines, but typically much less than on other drugs, with profits varying by vaccine.
Notably, profits are generally modest for vaccines like Hep B with an $80 profit or HPV with a $50 profit, to name a few.
Pfizer has reported it anticipates full-year 2026 revenues to be in the range of $59.5 to $62.5 billion overall.
Paxton’s release stated too that President Donald Trump and Secretary Kennedy are already implementing important reforms regarding childhood vaccines, highlighting the Trump Administration’s commitment to Gold Standard Science “as opposed to the Biden’s Administration’s policy of pushing as many possible shots into as many arms as possible.” “Together, we will Make America Healthy Again,” Paxton concluded. “Texans deserve to have full faith in the recommendations of their medical providers—particularly when it involves the health of their children. I will not tolerate a ‘carrot and stick’ approach to healthcare recommendations. Any provider or entity whose medical guidance is fueled by financial incentives from an insurance company, Big Pharma, or otherwise will be exposed.”
