Public Health

CDC Releases a Revised Pediatric Vaccine Schedule, Removing Several Routine Immunizations

Kate Young

Key Highlights

  • The new vaccine schedule recommends 11 immunizations for all children.
  • An assessment of childhood immunization practices in peer countries found that a higher number of recommended doses did not result in higher uptake.
  • Trust in public health has declines alongside childhood vaccination uptake.
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics warns this decision is “dangerous and unnecessary.”

On Jan. 5, 2026, Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim O’Neill signed a decision memorandum accepting recommendations to update U.S. childhood immunization practices, exactly 1 month after President Trump requested a comprehensive scientific assessment of immunization practices via a presidential memorandum.1,2

The memorandum stated, “Peer, developed countries recommend fewer childhood vaccinations […] Study is warranted to ensure that Americans are receiving the best, scientifically-supported medical advice in the world.”3

The assessment, conducted by Tracy Beth Høeg, MD, PhD, and Martin Kulldorff, PhD, in consultation with experts at CDC, FDA, NIH, and CMS, reviewed 20 peer, developed nations and found that a higher number of recommended doses did not result in higher vaccination uptake. Høeg and Kulldorff found that public trust and education were much more important factors in boosting vaccination rates.1,4 They also noted that Americans’ trust in public health declined from 72% to 40% between 2020 and 2024, which may have contributed to an overall decline in the uptake rate of all childhood vaccines during this period.4,5

The updated guidance recommends the administration only of vaccines supported by strong global consensus across peer countries, which include:

  • Measles
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Diphtheria
  • Tetanus
  • Pertussis
  • Polio
  • Hib
  • Pneumococcal disease
  • HPV
  • Varicella

Certain high-risk groups or populations may be recommended additional vaccines, such as the hepatitis A vaccine will be recommended for children who travel internationally to an endemic area. Other immunizations will follow a shared clinical decision-making model, including hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, rotavirus, meningococcal disease, influenza, and COVID-19.4,5

In response to this decision, Andrew D. Racine, MD, PhD, FAAP, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), issued a statement that said, “Today’s announcement by federal health officials to arbitrarily stop recommending numerous routine childhood immunizations is dangerous and unnecessary. The longstanding, evidence-based approach that has guided the U.S. immunization review and recommendation process remains the best way to keep children healthy and protect against health complications and hospitalizations.”

He also wrote that the AAP will continue to publish their own childhood vaccine recommendations, encouraging continued routine vaccination against hepatitis A and B, rotavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, and meningococcal disease.6

References

  1. CDC Acts on Presidential Memorandum to Update Childhood Immunization Schedule. https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/cdc-acts-presidential-memorandum-update-childhood-immunization-schedule.html. Published Jan. 5, 2026. Accessed Jan. 6, 2026.
  2. Adopting Revised Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/decision-memo-adopting-revised-childhood-adolescent-immunization-schedule.pdf. Published Jan. 5, 2026. Accessed Jan. 6, 2026. 
  3. Memorandum for the Secretary of Health and Human Services. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/aligning-united-states-core-childhood-vaccine-recommendations-with-best-practices-from-peer-developed-countries/. Published Dec. 5, 2025. Accessed Jan 6, 2026.
  4. Assessment of the U.S. Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule Compared to Other Countries. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/assessment-of-the-us-childhood-and-adolescent-immunization-schedule-compared-to-other-countries.pdf. Published Jan. 2, 2026. Accessed Jan. 6, 2026.
  5. Fact Sheet: CDC Childhood Immunization Recommendations. https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/fact-sheet-cdc-childhood-immunization-recommendations.html. Published Jan. 5, 2026. Accessed Jan. 6, 2026.
  6. AAP Opposes Federal Health Officials’ Unprecedented Move to Remove Universal Childhood Immunization Recommendations. https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/aap/2025/aap-opposes-federal-health-officials-unprecedented-move-to-remove-universal-childhood-immunization-recommendations. Published Jan. 5, 2026. Accessed Jan. 6, 2025.