Washington — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated childhood vaccine recommendations, which could stir controversy. The new guidelines suggest fewer vaccines than before, dropping from 17 to 11 essential shots.
Children will now be recommended for vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Hib, pneumococcal disease, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, HPV, and chickenpox. Some of these vaccines, like the MMR shot, protect against multiple diseases.
For specific cases, vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, dengue, and meningococcal diseases are now suggested only for children at high risk. For all other vaccines, the decision is up to parents and doctors—a process called “shared clinical decision-making.”
Dr. Jon LaPook, a CBS News medical correspondent, highlighted the complexity of vaccine choices. He stressed the importance of discussing these decisions with a healthcare provider who understands family concerns. Meanwhile, the American Academy of Pediatrics has already called these new recommendations dangerous, indicating they will maintain their previous guidance.
This update comes after a contentious recommendation last December, which delayed the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns from birth to two months for low-risk infants. Critics, including Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr., claimed this would protect children and improve trust in public health.
According to Trump, this revised vaccination schedule makes sense, focusing on the most serious diseases. Parents, however, can still opt for other vaccines, which will continue to be covered by insurance.
A recent report showed that the U.S. vaccine schedule is significantly different from those in other developed nations. It indicates the U.S. is a “global outlier” in both the number and variety of recommended doses. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics disputes this claim, insisting that U.S. vaccine recommendations are based on strong evidence, tailored to American health needs and demographics.
Experts like Dr. Ronald G. Nahass have expressed concerns that these changes could lead to negative health outcomes, especially amidst recent outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles. This outbreak, the largest in over 30 years, has already infected more than 2,000 Americans, mostly unvaccinated children.
Dr. Michael Osterholm from the Vaccine Integrity Project warned that reducing the number of recommended vaccines could have severe consequences, potentially increasing hospital visits and fatalities among children.
As the debate continues, many parents find themselves questioning what path to take. It’s clear that navigating vaccine decisions now requires careful consideration and open communication with healthcare providers.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Vaccine
