U.S. Axes Number of Recommended Childhood Vaccines in Blow to Public Health
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reducing the recommended number of vaccines for children to those that protect against 11 diseases instead of the protections against 17 illnesses that it recommended previously
Hepatitis B vaccines are among those affected by newly announced vaccine schedule changes at the CDC.
Alyssa Pointer for the Washington Post via Getty Images
On Monday the top public health body in the U.S. slashed the number of vaccines recommended for children. The move came just weeks after President Donald Trump ordered health officials to align the country’s vaccine schedule with those of “peer, developed countries.” In practice, this means the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will no longer recommend shots to protect against 17 diseases; instead it will recommend vaccines against 11 illnesses. Experts say the changes, which are effective immediately, will endanger children.
The CDC now recommends that all children receive vaccines for polio, measles, mumps and rubella, chickenpox, Haemophilus influenzae type B, pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus (HPV), tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. High-risk groups or populations may also be recommended shots for dengue, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal ACWY, meningococcal B and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. For other diseases, including COVID and the seasonal flu, the agency recommends consulting a doctor.
“This is [a] massive, unprecedented change that blows up decades of success with childhood vaccines, ultimately making it harder for Americans to access vaccines,” says Katelyn Jetelina, an epidemiologist who started and helps write the popular newsletter Your Local Epidemiologist. “Fewer children will be vaccinated, and children will be harmed because of this decision.”
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In a recent statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics denounced the move, stating that it will “sow further chaos and confusion and erode confidence in immunizations. This is no way to make our country healthier.” The organization said that it continued to support the disease vaccinations that were dropped by the CDC’s recommendations and pledged to publish its own recommendations.
The decision is likely to be challenged in court.
Additional reporting by Tanya Lewis.
Editor’s Note (1/5/26): This article was edited after posting to include updated information. This is a breaking news story and may be updated further.
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