At Trump's directive, CDC lowers amount of recommended vaccines for children

CDC Drops Childhood Vaccines from Recommended Schedule Amid Trump's Guidance

In a move that has sparked widespread outrage, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Monday that it is reducing the number of recommended childhood vaccines in the United States. The Trump administration had previously instructed the CDC to review vaccine guidelines based on best practices in other countries, but critics argue that this decision was made without sufficient scientific evidence.

Under the new guidelines, the CDC now recommends just 11 vaccines for all U.S. children, down from the previous recommended 17. While the updated schedule still includes essential shots like measles, mumps, and flu vaccines, it now only recommends additional doses against certain diseases for high-risk groups.

The move has been met with fierce criticism from medical experts, who warn that this decision could put vulnerable populations at risk of preventable diseases. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has called the changes "dangerous and unnecessary," stating that they undermine public trust in immunizations.

"Their decision upends a deliberate scientific process that has helped keep newborns, infants, and children protected from diseases for decades," said Dr. Andrew Racine, AAP President. "Today's decision will sow further chaos and confusion and erode confidence in immunizations."

The American Medical Association (AMA) has also expressed deep concern over the dropped recommendations, urging federal health agencies to recommit to a transparent, evidence-based process.

"When longstanding recommendations are altered without a robust, evidence-based process, it undermines public trust and puts children at unnecessary risk of preventable disease," said Dr. Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, AMA trustee.

The CDC's updated guidelines still recommend shots against various diseases, including polio, tetanus, and pneumococcal disease. However, immunizations against RSV, dengue, and early doses of hepatitis A, B, and meningitis will only be suggested for high-risk kids.

States typically follow CDC recommendations when setting vaccine requirements for school attendance, which could have significant implications for public health policies.

The decision follows a Dec. 5 directive from President Donald Trump to review best practices in other countries, including Denmark's simplified childhood vaccine schedule of just 10 shots. However, the Trump administration failed to provide sufficient scientific evidence to support this change.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has long advocated for altering pediatric vaccine schedules, has welcomed the move. However, his critics argue that this decision ignores decades of careful review and expert input in developing immunization guidelines.

As concerns grow over the impact of this decision on public health, parents, pediatricians, and medical experts are left to wonder about the future of childhood vaccination policies in the United States.

This is wild ... I don't get why they had to cut so many vaccines from the recommended schedule. I know we need to re-evaluate things every now and then, but this feels like a step back for public health . What's next? Are they gonna start telling people not to wash their hands or something? No way, right? The thought of kids going around without all the necessary shots is super scary . We gotta stick with science here, folks!

omg what is going on ?? just heard that cdc dropped vaccines from recommended schedule i dont think this is a good idea at all kids need protection from preventable diseases my little nephew is going to be stuck with a weakened immune system if he doesn't get all his shots what's next?? are we gonna start giving out candy instead of vaccines i hope the american academy of pediatrics and american medical association can make a difference here they need to speak up for kids' health

Wow

This new CDC vaccine schedule is super worrying for me I've got kids in school and I always felt safe knowing they were up-to-date on all their shots But now it seems like we're being told to just assume our kids are immune or that the risk isn't that big What if we have a big outbreak in our community? Who's gonna protect us then? It feels like the experts who've been working on this for years are being ignored I'm so glad Dr. Racine spoke out against it We need to be careful here and not rush into anything without all the facts

This is so not cool! I mean, think about all those little kids who are going to be at risk of getting sick because their parents can't get them vaccinated on schedule. What's next? People just gonna start skipping doctor's visits and hoping for the best? That's just irresponsible...

omg what just happened? i thought we had a good thing going with all those vaccines i dont get why they would do this. didnt we learn anything from all that measles stuff a few years ago? and whats with no more flu shots?! my little cousin got the flu last winter and it was super bad i hope this doesnt hurt too many kids...

I'm really worried about this new CDC guideline . It's like they're just throwing caution to the wind here . I mean, 11 vaccines down from 17? That's a huge drop . And what's with the high-risk groups getting only suggested shots instead of full recommendations ? It sounds like they're trying to confuse parents and put kids at risk .

I'm also not buying into Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s claim that this decision is about "following best practices" . There's no scientific evidence to back it up, just some outdated info from Denmark . And what about all the years of careful review and expert input? Does that mean nothing now?

This move feels like a huge step backward for public health . What's next? Dropping other life-saving vaccines? I'm not sure how parents are supposed to navigate this new landscape, but I'm pretty sure it's going to cause more harm than good

I'm totally freaking out about this ... I mean, I understand we need to review vaccine guidelines but dropping 6 vaccines from the recommended schedule is a big no-no . I've got little cousins and friends who just had their booster shots last year and now they might not need them next year? What's going on?! I'm all for evidence-based decisions, but this one feels like it was made in haste without considering the potential risks to vulnerable populations .

As a busy person myself, I know how hard it is to keep track of vaccination schedules and appointments . If the CDC's guidelines are unclear or confusing, that's just going to cause more stress for parents and kids alike . We need some stability and consistency in our public health policies so we can feel safe giving our kids the best possible care .

I'm also worried about what this decision might mean for international travelers ... do they need to make extra arrangements for their vaccinations? It's just too much uncertainty right now . I hope the CDC reconsiders its decision and goes back to the original schedule soon . We can't afford to roll back on vaccine protection at this point

omg just read the latest news about cdc dropping childhood vaccines from recommended schedule its like totally crazy what were they thinking ???

i mean im not a doctor or anything but even i know how important vaccines are for kids especially with all the diseases out there that can be super bad if u dont get vaccinated

the fact that trump's team just kinda went with whatever best practices in other countries without looking at the science first is like wow so unprofessional and now we're gonna pay for it i guess when our kids start getting sick more easily

anyway gotta keep an eye on this one folks stay safe

I'm low-key freaking out about this CDC thing ... they're literally taking away some vaccines from kids who need 'em most! It's like, what's next? Not vaccinating anyone at all? I get that Trump asked them to look at other countries' schedules, but come on, no scientific evidence? That doesn't sit right with me . I mean, these are kids we're talking about, not teenagers who can make their own decisions... they need protection from diseases that can kill 'em . The experts are all over it too - AAP and AMA are like, "Yaaas, we told you so!" And now states are gonna follow this new schedule? That's just a recipe for disaster . We gotta stay vigilant and make sure our kids' health is protected .

I'm not surprised but also kinda disappointed . I mean, vaccines have been a lifesaver for kids and adults alike, so it's concerning that they're simplifying the schedule without thorough evidence. Denmark's approach might seem more relaxed, but let's not forget we're talking about a country with a completely different healthcare system.

The American Medical Association is right to sound the alarm – this decision does put kids at risk of preventable diseases . I get that there's been pressure from some quarters to review vaccine guidelines, but this wasn't the way to do it. The CDC needs to be more transparent and consult with experts before making such drastic changes.

It's also worrying that states will follow this new schedule for school attendance, which could lead to a patchwork of vaccination policies across the country . As a parent myself, I want my kids to have the best possible protection against diseases – I hope the CDC reconsiders its decision and goes back to the original schedule soon .

omg what's going on with our healthcare I know we should always be cautious but reducing the number of vaccines from 17 to 11 is just too much for me I mean, measles and mumps are still out there so why take that risk? my little cousin got vaccinated for everything when he was a kid and now look at him - healthy and happy!

"It's a mad world we live in when scientists need permission from politicians to do their job."

I'm super worried about this new vaccine schedule - 11 vaccines down from 17? That's a big drop! What if it puts more kids at risk for diseases that we thought were under control? The CDC is supposed to be our top source of health info, and now they're basically rolling back all these hard-won protections . And what about the parents who are just going to freak out because their little ones aren't getting as many shots as before ? I mean, I get that we want to reduce vaccine overload, but this feels like a huge step back . Can someone explain how they're even going to make sure all these high-risk groups get the protection they need ?

This is a total slap in the face for the future of our kids' health . I mean, what's next? Removing seatbelts from cars or cutting funding for schools? It's all about politics and special interests, folks . The Trump administration just used its influence to push an agenda that prioritizes convenience over science . Newsflash: childhood vaccines aren't a partisan issue - they're about protecting our kids' health and well-being . We should be focusing on getting more people vaccinated, not less . I'm calling out our leaders for playing politics with public health . We need experts in the field to make decisions based on evidence, not ideology . This decision is a wake-up call - we need to hold our leaders accountable and demand better .

I'm truly perplexed by this sudden shift in vaccine recommendations . The notion that 6 fewer doses would somehow safeguard our children from preventable diseases seems counterintuitive . I mean, aren't we essentially gutting a decades-long scientific process that has been painstakingly honed to minimize risks and maximize benefits? It's almost as if the stakes have been lowered on the back of a directive from someone who may not fully grasp the intricacies of immunology . The potential consequences for public health are far too dire to be taken lightly . As an advocate for evidence-based policy, I'd love to see more scrutiny and debate surrounding these changes

omg what is happening the cdc just dropped all those childhood vaccines from the schedule and i'm literally shocked like who gave them permission to do this?!?? it's basically asking parents to gamble with their kids' health and trust that they'll be fine without all those shots

i mean, what even is going on here? did trump just decide to turn back the clock on medical science or something? and now we're left with a whole bunch of questions about public health policies and what's really at stake here... my anxiety level just went up 1000%

omg dont think they gonna make a difference CDC is literally putting kids lives at risk they shoulda stuck with whats proven to work 17 vaccines wasnt too much 11 is not enough what's next gotta wonder who r behind this trump? Kennedy Jr? no way are they experts on vaccine science

This is crazy! I mean, what's next? Are we gonna start skipping annual check-ups too? The CDC can't just ignore decades of scientific research and expert input like this. It's a recipe for disaster, especially with all the preventable diseases still out there. I'm worried about the vulnerable populations, like kids with weakened immune systems or those living in areas with poor healthcare access. They're gonna be left high and dry when it comes to protecting themselves from these diseases. The Trump admin's directive was a huge mistake, and now we're paying the price. Can't they just stick with evidence-based decisions instead of playing catch-up with other countries? It's gonna be a tough road ahead for public health policies in this country...