The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced a significant revision to its childhood vaccination recommendations, reducing the number of suggested vaccines from 17 to 11. This change, effective immediately, aims to align the U.S. vaccination schedule more closely with that of other developed nations, particularly Denmark.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), this adjustment follows a review of vaccination practices across 20 peer-developed countries. The assessment revealed that the United States is an outlier in both the number of diseases covered by its vaccination schedule and the total number of recommended doses. Despite these higher numbers, the U.S. does not have vaccination rates that exceed those of other developed nations.
The vaccines that will continue to be recommended include DTaP—covering diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough)—as well as Hib, pneumococcal conjugate, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox. Notably, the HPV vaccine will now only require a single dose for children, down from the previous recommendations of two doses for younger children and three for older teens.
High-Risk Groups and Individual Decisions
Vaccination recommendations for certain illnesses, such as RSV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, dengue, and two types of bacterial meningitis, will now be tailored to specific “high-risk groups.” Other vaccines, including those for rotavirus, COVID-19, and the flu, will be administered based on shared clinical decision-making between healthcare providers and families.
HHS has assured that all immunizations recommended by the CDC will remain fully covered under the Affordable Care Act insurance plans and federal programs, including Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Officials emphasized that this means U.S. insurance will cover more vaccines for children than typically seen in peer nations, where insurance often only pays for the recommended vaccines.
This decision follows an order from President Donald Trump, who requested a comprehensive review of the nation’s childhood vaccine recommendations to evaluate their scientific basis and consider successful approaches from abroad. In a statement, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. noted, “After an exhaustive review of the evidence, we are aligning the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule with international consensus while strengthening transparency and informed consent.”
Concerns from Medical Experts
Despite the government’s reassurances, some medical experts have expressed serious concerns regarding the abrupt changes. Michael Osterholm, director of the Vaccine Integrity Project at the University of Minnesota, criticized the lack of public discussion and transparency in the decision-making process. He cautioned that abandoning recommendations for vaccines that prevent serious illnesses like influenza and hepatitis could lead to increased hospitalizations and deaths among American children.
The CDC’s updated recommendations have sparked a substantial debate, reflecting the delicate balance between public health policies and parental choice in vaccination. The implications of these changes will likely influence discussions about pediatric healthcare and immunization practices in the United States for years to come.
The Associated Press contributed to this article. For news tips, contact Alexx Altman-Devilbiss at [email protected].
