Summary
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reduced the number of vaccines it recommends for children from 17 to 10. This change, made under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the Trump administration, emphasizes vaccines like polio and measles but suggests others, such as hepatitis and COVID-19 vaccines, should be based on decisions made between doctors and parents.
Key Facts
- The CDC's new guidelines reduce recommended children's vaccines from 17 to 10.
- The change affects how vaccines like hepatitis A, B, and COVID-19 are recommended.
- Decisions on some vaccines will now rely on discussions between parents and doctors.
- The U.S. childhood vaccine schedule is now more aligned with international standards.
- Vaccines, including those dropped from the list, will continue to be covered by insurance until the end of 2025.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics criticized the guideline changes, describing them as harmful to children.
- The CDC found the U.S. had more recommended vaccines compared to 20 other developed countries.
