The United States has overhauled its childhood vaccination guidelines, reducing the number of diseases for which vaccines are universally recommended from 17 to 11. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the new recommendations on Monday, a move that has sparked both praise and criticism from public health experts, pediatricians, and lawmakers.
Under the updated guidance, vaccines like polio, measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Hib, pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus (HPV), and varicella (chickenpox) will remain recommended for all children.
However, other vaccines—including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, dengue, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), meningococcal ACWY and B, and COVID-19 vaccines—are now recommended based on risk factors and shared decision-making between parents and healthcare providers.
Government Support for the Policy
President Donald Trump praised the guideline changes, calling them “rooted in the gold standard of science” and highlighting the administration’s commitment to informed parental choice. Trump referenced the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, saying:
“Many Americans, especially the ‘MAHA Moms,’ have been praying for these common-sense reforms for many years.”
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has previously expressed skepticism about vaccines, described the overhaul as “protecting children, respecting families, and rebuilding trust in public health.” He emphasized that the changes align the US childhood vaccine schedule with international consensus while strengthening transparency and informed consent.
Changes to Vaccine Recommendations
The CDC has categorized vaccines into three groups:
- Universal vaccines: Recommended for all children, including measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Hib, pneumococcal disease, HPV, and chickenpox.
- Risk-based vaccines: Recommended based on individual risk, including RSV, hepatitis A and B, dengue, and meningococcal ACWY and B.
- Optional vaccines: Left to the discretion of parents and doctors, including COVID-19, influenza, and rotavirus vaccines.
The policy also follows a December 2025 CDC panel recommendation to delay the first dose of hepatitis B for newborns whose mothers test negative, moving the shot from 24 hours after birth to two months. Pediatricians widely criticized this move, warning it could increase the risk of early infection.
Reactions from Medical Experts and Legislators
The overhaul has drawn sharp criticism from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which called the changes “dangerous and unnecessary.” AAP president Dr. Andrew D. Racine warned that aligning the US schedule with Denmark’s immunization policy ignores the differences in population size, public health infrastructure, and disease risk.
“The United States is not Denmark… this ill-considered decision will sow further chaos and confusion and erode confidence in immunizations,” Dr. Racine said.
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a physician, also criticized the changes, stating:
“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.”
COVID-19 Vaccines and Public Health Implications
The decision to make COVID-19 vaccination optional for children has sparked debate, particularly among public health experts who warn that it could undermine herd immunity and increase the risk of outbreaks in schools and communities.
Supporters argue that the new guidelines strengthen parental autonomy and allow families to make informed choices based on their child’s health, exposure risk, and personal beliefs.
International Comparison
The CDC cited a review of 20 peer-developed countries, including Britain, Canada, Denmark, and Australia, to justify the reduction in mandatory vaccines. Denmark, for example, recommends vaccination against only 10 diseases, which the US administration used as a model. Critics argue that comparing a population of 6 million in Denmark to 340 million in the United States is inappropriate for public health planning.
Insurance and Access
According to federal guidance, insurance will continue to cover vaccines still recommended universally. However, risk-based and optional vaccines may require individual assessment and coverage verification, which could lead to confusion among families and healthcare providers.
Looking Ahead
The new recommendations mark a significant shift in US immunization policy and highlight tensions between federal health authorities, pediatricians, and lawmakers. Public health experts will be closely monitoring the impact of these changes on childhood disease prevention, vaccination rates, and public trust in vaccines.
Leave a Reply