CDC vaccine schedule: These vaccines are no longer recommended for all children
For certain diseases, the CDC now recommends immunisation for high-risk groups, or through “shared clinical decision making.” Here's full list.
US health officials made broad changes to childhood vaccine recommendations Monday, restricting recommendations for vaccination against certain diseases for which vaccines had previously been recommended for all children.
They are now recommended only for those at high risk or after consultation with a health care provider, a category called "shared decision-making."
Once broadly recommended, the federal government now only recommends protection against certain diseases for children at “high risk” or based on individual doctor advice in what’s called “shared decision-making.”
Immunisations for certain high-risk groups:
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Dengue
- Meningococcal ACWY
- Meningococcal B.
Immunisations based on shared clinical decision-making are:
- Rotavirus
- COVID-19
- Influenza
- Meningococcal disease
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B.
The CDC, however, continues to recommend that all children be immunised against 10 diseases for which there is an "international consensus," as well as varicella (chickenpox).
The following vaccines were left on the recommended-for-all list:
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
- Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis or whooping cough (DTaP)
- Polio
- Chickenpox
- Human papillomavirus, or HPV. But in a surprise, the guidance reduces the number of recommended vaccine doses against HPV from two or three shots to just one.
- Hib, or Haemophilus influenzae type B, bacteria that despite the name isn't related to flu
- PCV or pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
"The updated schedule is in contrast to the CDC child and adolescent schedule at the end of 2024, which recommended 17 immunisations for all children," the factsheet released by the US Department of Health and Human Sciences read.
Trump hails new move
In a post on TRUTH social media, US President Donald Trump said that his administration “is proud to announce the United States of America’s updated Childhood Vaccination Schedule.”
He said, “This Schedule is rooted in the Gold Standard of Science, and widely agreed upon by Scientists and Experts all over the World.”
Comparing the number of recommended vaccinations for children in the US and Europe, Trump said, “Effective today, America will no longer require 72 “jabs” for our beautiful, healthy children.”
“We are moving to a far more reasonable Schedule, where all children will only be recommended to receive Vaccinations for 11 of the most serious and dangerous diseases,” he said.
The President added, “Parents can still choose to give their children all of the Vaccinations, if they wish, and they will still be covered by insurance.”
“However, this updated Schedule finally aligns the United States with other Developed Nations around the World,” he said.
“Many Americans, especially the “MAHA Moms,” have been praying for these COMMON SENSE reforms for many years. Thank you for your attention to this matter!,” Trump added.
What do experts say
Public health experts warn the latest rollback could lead to preventable hospitalisations and deaths. Meanwhile, vaccine experts decried the changes they said put American children at risk.
Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota's Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, told Reuters there should have been a public discussion on the risks and benefits of the potential impact of dropping the recommendations.
Dr. Sean O'Leary, chair of the American Academy of Paediatrics, was quoted as saying that other developed countries face different disease risks and have different healthcare systems than the United States.
Unlike the US, which depends on private healthcare, most countries provide basic universal healthcare that is paid for by the government.
"Any decision about the US childhood vaccination schedule should be grounded in evidence, transparency and established scientific processes, not comparisons that overlook critical differences between countries or health systems," O'Leary told Reuters.
About the Author
Akriti Anand is a senior content producer for LiveMint with over five years of experience. She covers national and international politics, often delving into explainers that bridge complex topics for a broad audience. She is also passionate about writing and reading about science and discoveries. She tweets at @AkritiAnand7. You can reach out to her at akriti.anand@htdigital.in