The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has unveiled a revised immunization schedule for children, marking a significant shift in vaccine guidelines in the United States. This update is crucial for parents aiming to stay informed about their children’s health needs.

One of the most notable changes is the reduction in the number of routine childhood vaccines from 17 to 11, with several vaccines being reclassified into specialized categories. Dr. Jason Schwartz, a specialist in vaccine policy from the Yale School of Public Health, provides insight into how these adjustments might affect parents and healthcare professionals, emphasizing the importance of understanding these changes to prevent confusion.

Dr. Schwartz elaborated on the revisions, stating, “The CDC has reallocated certain vaccines that were once straightforwardly recommended into specialized sub-categories with distinct criteria and implications.” This change, according to Dr. Schwartz, could lead to uncertainty about the appropriate use of these vaccines, potentially resulting in fewer children receiving them and, consequently, an increase in preventable diseases.

The new categorization is designed to clarify which vaccines are universally recommended and which ones fall into specific categories based on individual needs or circumstances. As these updates roll out, it is essential for parents and healthcare providers to stay informed to ensure children receive the appropriate vaccinations at the right times.

The updated new recommendation reduces the number of universally recommended childhood vaccines from 17 to 11 and places them into new categories.

• Chickenpox
• Diphtheria
• Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib)
• HPV (now a single dose instead of two)
• Measles, mumps, rubella
• Pneumococcal
• Polio
• Tetanus
• Whooping cough

Several others are no longer automatic and now fall under shared decision-making between parents and physicians:

• Flu
• COVID-19
• Rotavirus

Vaccines for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and meningococcal disease are now recommended only for children with specific risk factors or after consultation with a provider.

It is important to note that all childhood vaccines still remain available at not cost to parents. 

CDC data shows that U.S. childhood vaccinations have prevented more than 500 million illnesses and over 1 million deaths in the past 30 years. Dr. Schwartz notes that vaccines shifted out of the universal category, including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and rotavirus, protect against serious diseases that can lead to hospitalization or long-term complications.

To learn even more about this new vaccine schedule in detail, click here to listen to Dr. Schwartz’s Ask An Expert segment on KCBS radio.