The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday announced a sweeping overhaul of the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule, recommending fewer shots for children in what federal officials described as an effort to rebuild trust in public health.
The revised schedule, which takes effect immediately, more closely mirrors Denmark’s approach and calls for vaccines covering 11 diseases, down from the 18 previously included.
“The loss of trust during the pandemic not only affected the COVID-19 vaccine uptake. It also contributed to less adherence to the full CDC childhood immunization schedule, with lower rates of consensus vaccines such as measles, rubella, pertussis, and polio,” reads the scientific assessment the agency based its decision on.
Senior Health and Human Services officials said the move is intended to simplify guidance and respond to skepticism that grew during the Covid-19 pandemic. An agency assessment said “there is a need for more and better science” on vaccines, though the update does not identify any specific shots that children should avoid.
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In practice, officials said little will change for families who want their children to continue receiving all previously recommended vaccinations. Insurance coverage for those shots will remain in place.
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