The Department of Health and Human Services is dramatically reducing the number of vaccines recommended for American children to 11 shots from 17.
The health officials said Monday that they will continue to recommend vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella as well as immunizations against polio, chicken pox, HPV and other illnesses.
However, the HHS will narrow recommendations for vaccinations against the respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, meningococcal disease, hepatitis B and hepatitis A, recommending the shots only for high-risk groups.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the agency has updated its immunization schedule to reflect the changes, which were effective immediately.
“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,” he said in a statement.
The scientific assessment compared U.S. childhood immunization recommendations with those of 20 peer nations and concluded that the U.S. is a global outlier among developed countries in both the number of diseases addressed in a routine childhood vaccine schedule and total recommended doses, but does not have a higher vaccination rate than other countries, HHS said.
The move more closely aligns the U.S. with Denmark, which recommends that all children get vaccines for 11 diseases.
During a recent meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, members of the panel highlighted Denmark’s immunization policy.
Not much is expected to change for parents who want their children to continue to get all of the vaccines previously recommended, and insurance will continue to cover the shots, HHS said.
The new vaccine recommendations were made one month after President Trump ordered a review of the childhood vaccine schedule.
“It is ridiculous! That is why I have just signed a Presidential memorandum directing the Department of Health and Human Services to ‘FAST TRACK’ a comprehensive evaluation of Vaccine Schedules from other Countries around the World, and better align the U.S. Vaccine Schedule,” Mr. Trump wrote last month on Truth Social.
In a post on X, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. responded: “Thank you, Mr. President. We’re on it.”
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
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