Canadian children face fallout after RFK Jr. trims U.S. routine vaccines

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reduced the routine childhood vaccine schedule from protections against 17 diseases to 11, and reporting links that policy change and related U.S. actions to possible cross‑border effects; Canada has continued measles cases and two‑dose MMR coverage near 79 percent.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has revised its routine childhood immunization schedule. The updated schedule no longer lists six vaccines as routine, reducing routine protections from 17 diseases to 11. Reporting has connected these changes to actions by U.S. health officials and shifts in advisory committees. Observers say the change could have implications for cross‑border spread while Canada continues to report measles activity. Key points: - The CDC's updated schedule is reported to move several vaccines from routine status to recommendations for specific groups, reducing the routine count from 17 to 11. - Reporting states that U.S. health leadership made personnel and policy changes in vaccine advisory processes last year and that the CDC adjusted public statements about vaccines and autism. - Canada has experienced ongoing measles cases and has about 79 percent two‑dose MMR coverage, and its measles elimination status was reported as lost in recent months. Summary: The changes to U.S. vaccine guidance are reported to raise the likelihood of more vaccine‑preventable infections crossing the U.S.–Canada border and adding pressure to Canadian public health settings. Undetermined at this time.