Archive · 6 Jan 2026
US Reduces Childhood Vaccine Recommendations
The United States has changed its list of recommended vaccines for children.
They decided to remove six vaccines: rotavirus, flu, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and COVID-19.
Now, parents and doctors will discuss these vaccines together.
The decision was made by officials from the Department of Health and Human Services, not the usual group of experts.
The US will still recommend vaccines for 11 diseases, like measles and chickenpox.
This change was made to be more like other developed countries and to support the goals of the Health Secretary.
Insurance will continue to cover the recommended vaccines until the end of 2025.
Some experts are worried that this change might put children at risk.
US revised childhood immunization schedule to recommend fewer vaccines.
Vaccines for rotavirus, influenza, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and COVID-19 moved to shared decision-making.
Decision made by HHS officials, bypassing the typical expert panel review process.
11 vaccines, including measles, mumps, and varicella, remain on the schedule.
Change aligns US with other developed nations and supports Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s goals.
- Who
- US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
- What
- Revised childhood immunization schedule, recommending fewer vaccines
- When
- Monday (specific date not provided)
- Where
- United States
- Why
- To align with other developed nations and advance Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s goals
- Vaccines Removed
- Rotavirus, Influenza, Meningococcal Disease, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, COVID-19
- Vaccines Maintained
- 11, including Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Polio, Chickenpox, HPV
- Decision Makers
- US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
- Approval Authority
- Acting CDC Director Jim O'Neill
- Process
- Bypassed typical expert panel review
- Insurance Coverage
- Continues for recommended vaccines until end of 2025
- HPV Doses
- Reduced from 2-3 to 1
Sources
US revises childhood immunization schedule, recommends four fewer vaccines
CDC's New Vaccine Schedule For Children: Complete List Of Vaccines Now Recommended After Denmark-Like Overhaul
US overhauls childhood vaccine schedule, recommends fewer shots for American kids
CDC vaccine schedule: These vaccines are no longer recommended for all children
US ends routine guidance for four childhood vaccines; Trump says move aligns with other nations
US drops number of vaccines it recommends for every child
US Reduces Recommended Childhood Vaccines From 17 To 11
US bows to 'MAHA Moms': Trump administration scraps universal childhood shots for flu, rotavirus
