Additional Coverage:
- CDC changes kids’ vaccine schedule, removing universal recommendation for some shots (abcnews.go.com)
CDC Revamps Childhood Vaccine Schedule, Citing International Alignment and Sparking Controversy
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a significant change to the childhood immunization schedule on Monday, shifting away from a universal recommendation for multiple vaccines. The federal health agency states this move is an attempt to align the U.S. schedule with those of other developed nations.
Under the new guidelines, vaccines are now categorized into three groups: those recommended for all children, those for specific high-risk groups, and those based on “shared clinical decision-making.” The latter encourages open dialogue between parents and healthcare providers regarding vaccination choices.
Several vaccines, including RSV, flu, COVID-19, hepatitis, and meningococcal vaccines, will no longer be universally recommended for all children outside of high-risk categories. Notably, no vaccine is recommended before two months of age for children not in these groups. The CDC’s vaccine advisory committee recently voted to remove the universal recommendation for the hepatitis B shot at birth.
This overhaul follows a directive issued last December by President Donald Trump, instructing Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to examine international childhood vaccine schedules. HHS officials confirm that these changes will not impact health insurance coverage for vaccines.
“President Trump directed us to examine how other developed nations protect their children and to take action if they are doing better,” Kennedy stated. “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.”
However, the changes have drawn sharp criticism from the medical community, with many doctors expressing concern over the lack of public debate and expert consultation prior to implementation. Dr.
Dave Margolius, an internal medicine physician and director of public health for the city of Cleveland, voiced surprise at the swift rollout. “I thought there might be proposals that were debated amongst experts in a public meeting, and then maybe something like this resulting from that, but not in the way this has been done,” he told ABC News.
Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, former director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, argued that altering the schedule without consulting U.S. experts in pediatrics, infectious diseases, and public health “undermines both scientific rigor and transparency.” He emphasized that the U.S. healthcare system’s unique characteristics make a direct alignment with other nations challenging.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also condemned the decision. Dr.
Sean O’Leary, an infectious disease physician and chair of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases, stated that the federal government can no longer be trusted to protect American children from vaccine-preventable diseases. He confirmed that the AAP was not consulted by HHS regarding these changes.
Adding to the chorus of concern, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), a physician and chair of the Senate’s health committee, distanced himself from the CDC’s decision. He stated on X that “Changing the pediatric vaccine schedule based on no scientific input on safety risks and little transparency will cause unnecessary fear for patients and doctors, and will make America sicker.” Cassidy clarified that the schedule serves as a recommendation, empowering parents to choose which vaccines their children receive.