Originally published by our sister publication Infectious Disease Special Edition
The number of recommended vaccinations for children has dropped, reducing the number of preventable diseases from 17 to 11 diseases, according to a new announcement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The newest iteration of the CDC’s Childhood Immunization Schedule, released Monday, Jan. 5, has removed seven vaccinations from being recommended for all children. They will now be recommended only for high-risk children or will be available through “shared clinical decision-making.”
Acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill signed a decision memorandum accepting the recommendations from an assessment ordered by President Donald Trump in December. The CDC has not yet published the new schedule.
What Are the Changes?
According to the new schedule, the vaccine-preventable diseases that the CDC recommends for all children to be vaccinated against are: diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (whooping cough), Haemophilus influenzae type b, Pneumococcal conjugate, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and HPV, and varicella (chickenpox).
For high-risk children, vaccinations for the following diseases also are recommended: respiratory syncytial virus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, dengue, meningococcal ACWY, and meningococcal B. In addition, certain diseases are available for vaccination for all children through “shared clinical decision-making,” including rotavirus, COVID-19, influenza, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B.
What Does This Mean?
The recommendations come at a time when surges of respiratory infections and other vaccine-preventable disease are being seen all over the country. Influenza is now estimated to have infected 11 million people in the United States and known to have caused nine pediatric deaths in the 2025-2026 season so far.
Infectious Diseases Society of America President Ronald G. Nahass, MD, said in a statement that the changes were reckless, hidden, and would ultimately negatively affect children.
“Today’s announcement that HHS is drastically altering the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule without a transparent process or clear scientific justification represents the latest reckless step in Secretary Kennedy’s assault on the national vaccine infrastructure that has saved millions of lives. His actions put families and communities at risk and will make America sicker.
“Upending long-standing vaccine recommendations without transparent public review and engagement with external experts will undermine confidence in vaccines with the likely outcome of decreasing vaccination rates and increasing disease. Making these changes amid ongoing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases shows a disregard for the real confusion families already face.
“Disease prevalence differs country to country, and there has been demonstrated and ongoing need in the U.S. for the vaccines included in the childhood vaccine schedule. Most other high-income countries have universal health care and parental leave, both of which can support prevention and early care and contribute to lower disease prevalence.
“It is irresponsible to haphazardly change vaccine recommendations without a solid scientific basis and transparent process. The commitment the U.S. has made to protecting children from vaccine-preventable illness and death must remain a top priority.”
This is a developing story. Check back in to read more about the topic.