ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Tuesday that it was eliminating six vaccines from its recommended childhood vaccine schedule. In response, the Maryland Department of Health announced that it will continue using the childhood vaccine guidelines as determined by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), following the original schedule.
Going forward, the CDC will advise that children receive 11 vaccines, down from the current 17. Rotavirus, COVID-19, hepatitis A and B, and meningitis were dropped from the list. The seasonal flu shot was also removed and will instead be provided only to “high-risk” children or with a health care provider’s waiver. The AAP maintains the original vaccine schedule and 17 recommended vaccines.
“President Trump directed us to examine how other developed nations protect their children and to take action if they are doing better,” Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a press release. “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. This decision protects children, respects families, and rebuilds trust in public health.”…