Extreme Changes to the Childhood Vaccine Schedule Endanger Children, Public Health
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today unilaterally changed the childhood immunization schedule to recommend that all children are vaccinated against only 11 diseases. The updated recommendations contrast with the previous schedule, which recommended that all children be vaccinated against 17 diseases. For the other diseases, the CDC recommended immunization for high-risk groups and populations or shared clinical decision making. Dr. Robert Steinbrook, Health Research Group Director at Public Citizen, issued the following statement:
“Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his deputies have started 2026 by escalating and accelerating their mindless assault on the childhood and adolescent immunization schedule. Today’s announcement is one of their worst.
“Extreme and arbitrary changes to the childhood vaccination schedule without full public discussion and scientific and evidence-based vetting put children and families at risk and undermine public health. The uncalled-for changes are likely to further erode trust in vaccines and decrease immunization rates, rather than increase confidence or boost vaccine uptake, as federal health officials assert. Once again, medical professional societies and states must act to prevent suffering and death from preventable diseases.”
Additional Background:
The CDC continues to recommend that all children are vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (whooping cough), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Pneumococcal conjugate, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, human papillomavirus (HPV), and varicella (chickenpox). The immunizations recommended for certain high-risk groups and populations are respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, dengue, meningococcal ACWY, and meningococcal B. The immunizations based on shared clinical decision-making are for rotavirus, COVID-19, influenza, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B. All immunizations recommended by the CDC as of December 31, 2025 will continue to be covered by Affordable Care Act insurance plans and federal health insurance programs.