CDC Reduces Universal Childhood Vaccines to Eleven, Introduces Risk‑Based Categories
Updated (3 articles)
CDC Cuts Universal Childhood Vaccine List to Eleven The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Jan. 5 that the routine schedule drops from 17 to 11 diseases, keeping measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Hib, pneumococcal disease, HPV and varicella as universally recommended for all children [1][2][3]. The revision takes effect immediately and restructures guidance around three vaccine groups. Insurers will continue covering vaccines that remain on the schedule through the end of 2025 [1].
Vaccines Reassigned to Risk‑Based and Shared‑Decision Categories The agency placed the remaining vaccines into a high‑risk tier (RSV, hepatitis A and B, dengue, meningococcal ACWY and B) and a shared‑decision tier (COVID‑19, influenza, rotavirus) [1][2][3]. Clinicians and parents must now assess individual risk before administering these shots, shifting responsibility from automatic scheduling to joint clinical judgment. The new framework mirrors categorization models used in several peer nations.
Change Driven by Presidential Executive Order and International Benchmarking The overhaul follows a December executive order from President Trump directing HHS to compare U.S. recommendations with those of 20 developed countries [1][2][3]. Officials cited Denmark’s narrower schedule as a template and framed the move as aligning the United States with global norms while rebuilding public trust. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic, promoted the revision as an “exhaustive review” to protect children and respect families [1].
Medical Community and Lawmakers Criticize Schedule Overhaul The American Academy of Pediatrics labeled the reduction “dangerous and unnecessary,” warning that it ignores U.S. demographic differences and could lower vaccination rates [1][2][3]. Republican Senator Bill Cassiday condemned the lack of scientific input, and the CDC proceeded without the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ advice [2]. Earlier this year, a separate CDC decision to delay the first hepatitis B dose sparked similar backlash, underscoring broader professional concerns [1].
Sources (3 articles)
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[1]
BBC: CDC trims routine childhood vaccine list from 17 to 11 in new US schedule: Details the three‑tier categorization, cites the Trump administration and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s role, and highlights AAP and congressional criticism .
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[2]
WBNS: CDC overhauls childhood vaccine schedule, reduces vaccines to 11 diseases: Emphasizes the December White House directive, notes the omission of universal RSV, flu, COVID‑19, hepatitis and meningococcal vaccines, and points out the exclusion of ACIP input .
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[3]
King5: CDC overhauls childhood vaccine schedule, reducing vaccines to 11: Mirrors the universal‑vaccine list, stresses the alignment with peer nations, and repeats expert warnings about potential drops in uptake .
Timeline
Dec 2025 – President Donald Trump signs an executive order directing the Department of Health and Human Services to compare the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule with those of 20 peer‑developed nations, launching a review aimed at aligning U.S. guidance with international practice. [1][2]
Dec 2025 – A CDC advisory panel decides to shift the first hepatitis B dose from birth to two months for infants whose mothers test negative, provoking sharp criticism from pediatricians who label the move “dangerous.” [1]
Jan 5 2026 – The CDC releases a revised childhood immunization schedule that trims universal recommendations from 17 diseases to 11 and reorganizes all vaccines into three categories: universal, high‑risk, and shared‑decision. [1][2][3]
Jan 5 2026 – Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. states the overhaul follows “an exhaustive review” and “aims to protect children, respect families, and rebuild trust in public health.” [1]
Jan 5 2026 – The agency cites Denmark’s ten‑vaccine model as a benchmark and assures that insurers will continue covering any vaccine that remains recommended through the end of 2025. [1]
Jan 5 2026 – Dr. Andrew D. Racine, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, calls the new schedule “dangerous and unnecessary,” warning it ignores U.S. population differences and could erode confidence in immunizations. [1]
Jan 5 2026 – Sen. Bill Cassiday (R‑OH), a physician, condemns the change for lacking scientific input, saying it will “cause fear and make the nation sicker.” [1]
Jan 5 2026 – CDC officials acknowledge the revision proceeds without input from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, breaking a decades‑long norm of expert consultation. [2]
Jan 5 2026 – Public‑health experts warn that removing universal recommendations for RSV, influenza, COVID‑19, hepatitis, and meningococcal vaccines could depress uptake and raise preventable hospitalizations and deaths. [1][2]