CDC revamps childhood vaccine guidance
In a drastic overhaul of federal immunization guidance, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS; DC, USA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC; GA, USA) have unveiled significant changes to the US childhood vaccine schedule.
Announced on January 5, 2026, the revisions cut the number of diseases for which all children are routinely recommended to receive vaccines, from 17 to 11, and reduced the number of routine vaccines from 13 to seven. The changes have also reorganized recommendations into three tiers: universal, high-risk and shared clinical decision-making.
Which shots remain advised for all children?
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Polio
- Pertussis
- Tetanus
- Diptheria
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Pneumococcal disease
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
The six vaccines that are no longer recommended for routine use by all children are:
- Rotavirus
- Influenza
- COVID-19
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Meningococcal vaccines
Some of these vaccines have been moved into categories requiring either “shared clinical decision making”, a process that is “individually based and informed by a decision process between the health care provider and the patient or parent/guardian”, or are targeted to children at higher risk.
HHS leaders said the review was prompted by a Presidential directive to examine international practices and align US guidance more closely with peer nations to build public trust. They emphasized continued insurance coverage across all recommended vaccines. Denmark has been cited as a model peer nation amid these changes; however, experts have cautioned that the US and Denmark are very different countries with distinct population needs.
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The response from medical and public health communities has been mixed. Some groups argue the changes reflect thoughtful adaptation, while others, including pediatric associations and immunization advocates, warn that loosening routine recommendations could cause confusion and potentially lower vaccination rates.
State health authorities retain authority over vaccine requirements, and officials stress families should consult healthcare providers for personalized immunization decisions under the updated framework.
