RFK Jr. changes which childhood vaccines are routinely recommended.

The Health and Human Services secretary moved hepatitis A, influenza, meningococcal (MenACWY) and rotavirus from routine pediatric recommendations to a "shared clinical decision-making" category, and the department says the vaccines remain available and covered by insurance; the change was made without a vote from the usual outside expert panel.

The Health and Human Services secretary announced a revision to the childhood immunization schedule that removes routine recommendations for several vaccines. The move shifts hepatitis A, influenza, meningococcal (MenACWY) and rotavirus from universal pediatric recommendations to a "shared clinical decision-making" category. The department says the shots will remain available and covered by insurance. Public health experts have said the change could lead to confusion and lower vaccination rates, and they note that lower coverage has been linked to higher disease rates in the past. Key facts: - The affected vaccines listed by the department are hepatitis A, influenza, meningococcal (MenACWY) and rotavirus. - HHS says the vaccines will still be available to children and remain covered by insurance. - The schedule change was made without a vote from the outside expert panel that typically evaluates such recommendations. Summary: Public health officials cited in reporting warn that moving these vaccines off routine status could reduce uptake and lead to more cases of diseases that had become less common; experts also said the change may increase confusion among parents. Undetermined at this time.