CDC narrows routine childhood vaccine recommendations

Federal officials have moved routine recommendations for six childhood vaccines — including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rotavirus, RSV, influenza and COVID‑19 — to a high‑risk or “shared clinical decision‑making” status, and HHS said the change followed a scientific review.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has scaled back routine recommendations for several childhood vaccines and shifted some to be given only to high‑risk children or after "shared clinical decision‑making" between families and clinicians. The Department of Health and Human Services described the move as the result of a scientific review and comparisons with other nations' schedules. Some public health experts and pediatric groups have expressed concern and confusion about the change. Key points: - Officials moved routine recommendations for six vaccines, including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rotavirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), seasonal influenza and COVID‑19, to either high‑risk groups or shared clinical decision‑making. - Under the new guidance, decisions about those vaccines are to be made between a clinician and a family; HHS said the changes followed a scientific review. - Federal and private insurance will continue to cover the vaccines referenced by HHS, and legal challenges and public debate have been reported; the next procedural steps are undetermined at this time. Summary: The change alters how several long‑used childhood vaccines are recommended at the federal level and shifts responsibility for vaccination decisions toward clinician‑family discussions. Undetermined at this time.