New federal health guidance means fewer vaccines are now recommended for all children in the U.S.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the updated childhood vaccine schedule in a Jan. 5 news release, stating it is based on best practices, in comparison to other developed nations.
“President (Donald) Trump directed us to examine how other developed nations protect their children and to take action if they are doing better,” HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said. “After an exhaustive review of the evidence, we are aligning the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule with international consensus while strengthening transparency and informed consent. This decision protects children, respects families, and rebuilds trust in public health.”
Here’s what to know about the childhood vaccine schedule.
How was the childhood vaccine schedule changed?
The new childhood vaccine schedule reduces the number of vaccines recommended for all children from birth to age 11, with vaccination now recommended only for certain groups or based on clinical decision-making against the other diseases, according to the new federal guidance. The schedule keeps vaccines organized in three categories.
“After reviewing the evidence, I signed a decision memorandum accepting the assessment’s recommendations,” acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill said. “The data support a more focused schedule that protects children from the most serious infectious diseases while improving clarity, adherence, and public confidence.”
Why did health officials change the vaccine schedule?
The changes to the childhood vaccine schedule come from a scientific assessment comparing U.S. childhood vaccination to the methods of peer, developed nations, the release said. The analysis was requested by President Trump in a Dec. 5, 2025, presidential memoranda.
What is the childhood vaccine schedule?
The U.S. childhood vaccine schedule outlines federal recommendations for how to approach vaccinating American children against diseases.
What were the recommendations?
Previously, the rotavirus vaccine, which protects against gastrointestinal infections that cause diarrhea among infants and young children, was recommended for children beginning at 2 months old for either a two-dose or three-dose series.
For influenza, or flu, vaccines were generally recommended for children starting at 6 months.
Meningococcal disease, a bacterial infection, can be prevented through three types of vaccines. Recommendations previously covered all preteens and teens as well as children 2 months through 10 years old at increased risk.
Hepatitis A recommendations previously included a two-dose series starting at 1 year.
Now, rather than recommending the above vaccines, the HHS advises making a decision in conjunction with your health care provider.
In the announcement Monday, officials said immunizations recommended for all children would still include vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus (HPV) and varicella (chickenpox).
The CDC also recently made changes to hepatitis vaccine recommendations for infants.
What do Michigan officials say?
On Thursday, Dec. 18, Michigan’s chief medical executive, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, issued a Standing Recommendation, advising health care providers and families to follow the child and adolescent immunization schedule produced by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) or the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
“We continue to stand by that recommendation,” she said in a release.
All vaccines, including those moved to shared clinical decision-making, remain covered with no out-of-pocket cost by Affordable Care Act-regulated private insurance plans and federal coverage programs such as Medicaid and the Vaccines for Children program, MDHHS said.
Bagdasarian noted that the CDC changes may create confusion for families and clinicians regarding school vaccine requirements, clinical workflows and the supply and use of combination vaccines.
“MDHHS will continue to provide clear guidance, backed by science to help protect Michigan families,” Bagdasarian said.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: CDC changes childhood vaccine schedule. Should kids still get them?
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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