WASHINGTON – The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) drastically changed its childhood vaccine recommendations on January 5, 2026, reducing the number of diseases for which all children should be routinely vaccinated from 17 to 11. This unprecedented move, effective immediately, has triggered widespread concern and strong criticism from medical experts and public health organizations across the country. ^[1][2][3][4]### Major Shift in Vaccine Guidance The new federal guidance reclassifies several long-standing childhood vaccines. Shots protecting against influenza, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningococcal disease, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 are no longer universally recommended for all children. I^{[1][5][6][2][7][8]}nstead, these immunizations now fall into two new categories: those for specific high-risk groups and those subject to "shared clinical decision-making" between parents and healthcare providers. T^{[9][10][2][8]}he updated schedule also reduces the recommended doses for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine from two or three shots to a single dose for most children. ^[1][5][6][2]Under the revised framework, universal vaccination for all children now includes protection against 11 diseases: measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus (HPV), and varicella (chickenpox). V^{[10][2][8][11]}accines for high-risk populations now cover RSV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, dengue, meningococcal ACWY, and meningococcus B. T^[1][2][8]he "shared clinical decision-making" category includes rotavirus, COVID-19, influenza, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B. ^[1][2][8]### Administration Cites Alignment with Other Nations The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and CDC officials stated the overhaul aims to align the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule with those of other "peer, developed countries." H^{[12][5][6][13]}ealth Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the decision "protects children, respects families, and rebuilds trust in public health." P^{[12][5][4][7]}resident Donald Trump, who directed HHS in December 2025 to review vaccine recommendations, reacted positively, stating the new schedule is "far more reasonable" and "finally aligns the United States with other Developed Nations around the World." ^[5]HHS reported that a comparison to 20 peer nations found the U.S. was an "outlier" in the number of vaccinations and doses recommended for all children. O^[12][5]fficials suggested that recommending only the most crucial vaccinations would increase public trust. T^[12][5][13]he new policy was partly modeled after Denmark's schedule, which recommends fewer vaccines. ^[2][4][8]### Medical Experts Slam Decision, Warn of Health Risks Leading medical groups and public health experts have strongly condemned the changes, warning of severe consequences for children's health. Many critics say the decision was made without public discussion, transparent review of scientific data, or input from the CDC's traditional vaccine advisory committee. ^{[12][5][2][14][8]}"Abandoning recommendations for vaccines that prevent influenza, hepatitis and rotavirus, and changing the recommendation for HPV without a public process to weigh the risks and benefits, will lead to more hospitalizations and preventable deaths among American children," said Michael Osterholm of the Vaccine Integrity Project. D^[12][5][7]r. Helen Chu, a physician and immunologist at the University of Washington, called the abrupt change "alarming, unnecessary and will endanger the health of children in the United States." S^[14]he added that it would "increase confusion and decrease vaccine uptake." ^[14]The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American College of Physicians are among the organizations that have voiced strong opposition. D^[2][3]r. Sean O'Leary of the American Academy of Pediatrics noted that other developed countries consider different disease risks and healthcare systems when making their recommendations. E^[5][6]xperts also pointed out that the U.S. vaccine schedule was already largely aligned with many high-income countries, not an outlier as claimed by the administration. ^[14][15][16]### Immediate Effects and Future Concerns The changes took effect immediately on January 5, 2026. D^[1][9][2]espite the reduced universal recommendations, HHS officials stated that all vaccines in the new categories will continue to be covered by insurance without out-of-pocket costs for families. ^{[6][9][10][2][4][11]}However, experts worry the new policy could lead to lower vaccination rates and increased outbreaks of preventable diseases. T^{[1][12][10][14][7]}he decision comes as U.S. vaccination rates have already been declining, and the share of children with exemptions has reached a record high. C^[7]ritics, including Senator Bill Cassidy, chair of the Senate Health Committee, emphasized that "safe and effective vaccines prevent deaths among children." ^[14]The American Academy of Pediatrics published its own independent recommendations for child and adolescent immunizations in 2025, directly challenging the modified federal guidance. P^[3]ublic health experts remain concerned that the lack of scientific rationale and transparency in this decision will further erode public confidence in established immunization practices. ^[1][14][8]

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