Health department slashes number of diseases U.S. children will be regularly vaccinated against

"Under the new guidelines, the U.S. still recommends that all children be vaccinated against measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus (HPV) and varicella, better known as chickenpox. Vaccines for all other diseases will now fall into one of two categories: recommended only for specific high-risk groups, or available through "shared clinical decision-making" - the administration's preferred term for "optional.""

"These include immunizations for Hepatitis A and B, rotavirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), bacterial meningitis, influenza and Covid-19. All these shots were previously recommended for all children. Insurance companies will still be required to fully cover all childhood vaccines on the CDC schedule, including those now designated as optional, according to HHS."

"The move has been anticipated since December, when President Trump signed a presidential memorandum directing HHS and the CDC to update the pediatric vaccine schedule "to align with such scientific evidence and best practices from peer, developed countries." The new U.S. vaccinations guidelines are much closer to those of Denmark, which routinely vaccinates its children against only 10 diseases."

The Department of Health and Human Services revised the pediatric vaccine schedule, reducing the number of diseases for which routine childhood vaccination is recommended. Core immunizations retained include measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Hib, pneumococcal disease, HPV and varicella. Other vaccines, such as Hepatitis A and B, rotavirus, RSV, bacterial meningitis, influenza and Covid-19, are now either for specific high-risk groups or available through shared clinical decision-making. Insurance must still fully cover all CDC-scheduled childhood vaccines, including those now designated optional. The change follows a presidential memorandum and aligns U.S. guidance more closely with Denmark's schedule, despite differences in healthcare systems and population characteristics.

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