HHS Overhauls US Childhood Vaccine Schedule, Reducing Recommendations

Jan 6, 2026, 2:41 AM

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The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced an unprecedented overhaul of the childhood immunization schedule, reducing the number of universally recommended vaccines from 17 to 11. This new policy, effective immediately, aligns the US schedule more closely with that of Denmark, which has long been a point of contention among public health experts.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will continue to recommend vaccines against 11 diseases for all children, including measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus (HPV), and varicella (chickenpox). However, six vaccines will now be recommended only for children deemed to be at high risk of infection, such as those for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, dengue, and two types of bacterial meningitis (MenACWY and MenB). Additionally, some vaccines will be available through "shared clinical decision-making" with healthcare providers.

Public health officials have expressed alarm over the changes, arguing that the previous vaccination schedule has been instrumental in preventing 1.1 million deaths over the past three decades. Dr Jason M. Goldman, president of the American College of Physicians, criticized the decision, stating, "Abandoning the US evidence-based process is a dangerous and potentially deadly decision for Americans." He emphasized that vaccines are crucial in preventing deaths, hospitalizations, and the spread of disease.

The rationale behind the overhaul, according to HHS officials, is to restore public trust in vaccination programs that have waned since the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC's assessment noted that the pandemic had not only affected COVID-19 vaccine uptake but also adherence to the full childhood immunization schedule, leading to lower rates of vaccinations for diseases like measles and polio.

Critics of the new schedule argue that the changes are radical and could lead to a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases. Dr Jesse Goodman, a professor of medicine at Georgetown University, described the announcement as a "torpedo" to vaccination policy, warning that it could result in increased infections and hospitalizations.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has also voiced strong opposition to the new recommendations, stating that they will likely confuse parents and healthcare providers alike. Dr Sean O'Leary, chair of the AAP's infectious disease committee, remarked, "With RSV we've already seen population-level impact. Why do they want more hospitalizations?".

The changes come at a time when the US is experiencing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. Last year, two children in Texas died from measles during an outbreak that reached over 2,000 cases. Additionally, the US recorded at least 288 flu deaths in children, the highest number for a non-pandemic flu season.

Legal challenges to the new vaccine schedule are anticipated, as the Trump administration has bypassed the usual processes for updating vaccine recommendations, which typically involve input from scientific experts and public health leaders. The Administrative Procedures Act requires that federal officials follow an open, deliberative process when issuing rules and regulations.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who has long advocated for reducing the number of vaccines children receive, stated that the changes are intended to align the US vaccination schedule with that of Denmark and other countries that recommend fewer vaccines. However, experts have raised concerns about the implications of adopting a foreign model without considering the unique health landscape of the US.

In summary, the recent overhaul of the US childhood vaccine schedule has ignited a heated debate among public health experts, pediatricians, and parents. While the HHS aims to restore trust in vaccination programs, many fear that the reduction in recommended vaccines could lead to increased health risks for children across the nation.

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