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CDC revises childhood immunization guidelines
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Monday a reduction in the number of vaccines recommended for all children in the U.S., cutting the list from 17 to 11 diseases. The updated guidelines now classify some vaccines, including those for hepatitis A and B and COVID-19, as optional based on risk factors and discussions between doctors and parents.
Key changes in the new recommendations
The CDC's revised schedule mandates vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus (HPV), and varicella (chickenpox) for all children. Vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hepatitis A and B, dengue, and meningococcal diseases are now recommended only for children with specific risk factors.
A third category, including COVID-19, influenza, and rotavirus vaccines, will be left to the discretion of parents and healthcare providers. The CDC noted that insurance coverage for vaccines recommended at the end of 2025 will remain unchanged for now.
Political and medical reactions
President Donald Trump praised the new guidelines, calling them "rooted in the gold standard of science" in a statement posted online. He linked the changes to his administration's Make America Healthy Again initiative, stating that "many Americans, especially the MAHA Moms, have been praying for these COMMON SENSE reforms for many years."
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a long-time vaccine skeptic, described the overhaul as the result of an "exhaustive review" and claimed it "protects children, respects families, and rebuilds trust in public health." He added that the U.S. is now aligning its childhood vaccine schedule with "international consensus" while emphasizing transparency and informed consent.
"We are aligning the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule with international consensus while strengthening transparency and informed consent."
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Health Secretary
Criticism from medical groups
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) sharply criticized the decision, calling it "dangerous and unnecessary." Dr. Andrew D. Racine, president of the AAP, argued that the U.S. should not adopt the immunization schedule of Denmark, which recommends vaccines for only 10 diseases. He pointed out that Denmark's population of 6 million and its public health infrastructure differ significantly from those of the U.S., which has a population of 340 million.
"At a time when parents, pediatricians and the public are looking for clear guidance and accurate information, this ill-considered decision will sow further chaos and confusion and erode confidence in immunizations. This is no way to make our country healthier."
Dr. Andrew D. Racine, President, American Academy of Pediatrics
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who is also a physician, echoed the criticism, stating that the changes were made "based on no scientific input on safety risks and little transparency." He warned that the decision would "cause unnecessary fear for patients and doctors, and will make America sicker."
Background and context
The policy shift follows an executive order signed by President Trump in December, directing U.S. health officials to compare the nation's vaccine schedule with those of "peer developed countries." The Department of Health and Human Services reviewed 20 countries, including Britain, Canada, Denmark, and Australia, and concluded that the U.S. was an "outlier" in both the number of diseases covered and the number of doses administered.
The CDC's decision also comes weeks after a separate recommendation to delay the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine. Previously, the vaccine was recommended within 24 hours of birth, but the revised guidelines now suggest administering it at two months if the mother tests negative for hepatitis B. Pediatricians widely condemned this change as "a dangerous move that will harm children."
