U.S. Narrows Pediatric Vaccine Schedule, Pulling Six Shots From Universal Recommendation

Overview

• The CDC schedule now drops influenza, hepatitis A and B, meningococcal disease, RSV and rotavirus from routine childhood immunization.
• Effective immediately, those vaccines are limited to high‑risk children or provided through clinician‑family shared decision‑making.
• HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., following President Donald Trump’s directive, said the revision aligns U.S. policy with countries such as Denmark.
• CMS administrator Mehmet Oz said all CDC‑recommended vaccines will continue to be covered by insurance without out‑of‑pocket costs.
• Pediatric and public‑health leaders, including the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Sean O’Leary and Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, warned the move could undermine confidence and increase preventable disease risk as states review their own school‑entry policies.