CDC removes several vaccines from U.S. childhood schedule

The Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC announced that several vaccines previously recommended for all children have been moved to high‑risk or shared decision categories, while officials said all vaccines remain available and covered by insurance.

The Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC announced changes to the federal childhood immunization schedule that remove universal recommendations for several vaccines. The revision follows a December directive to review international practices and was advanced by a vaccine panel led by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Officials said vaccines are now organized into three categories and that all vaccines remain available and fully covered by insurance. The announcement has prompted statements from administration officials, public health experts and some state health departments. Key points: - The federal update moves several vaccines that were previously universally recommended for children — including influenza, rotavirus, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A and hepatitis B — into either high‑risk categories or to a shared clinical decision framework; COVID‑19 vaccination was also shifted away from a universal recommendation, according to the announcement. - Dengue and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were described as remaining recommended for high‑risk children, as they were previously. - The health department said all vaccines will remain available and fully covered by insurance and can be given when parents and health care providers determine they are needed. - HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the change aligns the U.S. schedule with international practice and emphasizes transparency and informed consent. - Some public health experts and pediatric groups expressed concern that the change could increase hospitalizations, preventable illness and public confusion, and at least one state health department said its own recommendations will not change. Summary: The federal revision shifts several childhood vaccines from universal recommendation to either high‑risk or shared clinical decision categories while maintaining availability and insurance coverage. Officials said they will work with state agencies, provider organizations and parent groups to implement and explain the new schedule, and ongoing research and studies were mentioned as part of future work. Undetermined at this time.