Schedule updated
The CDC updated its child vaccine schedule on Monday.
It cut routine immunizations for all kids from 17 to 11.
Effective immediately, six shots are no longer for every child.
HHS said it followed a “scientific review of the underlying science, comparing the US child and adolescent immunization schedule with those of peer, developed nations.”
Six shots changed
The six vaccines are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, meningococcal disease, rotavirus, and respiratory syncytial virus.
The CDC said kids may still get them if high risk.
The change followed a vote last month on hepatitis B.
A federal vaccine advisory committee voted to drop that routine recommendation.
What stays for all
The CDC still recommends vaccines for 11 diseases.
They include whooping cough, diphtheria, and tetanus.
They also include HPV, Hib, and pneumococcal disease.
Polio, chickenpox, measles, mumps, and rubella stay on the list.
New categories
HHS said some shots are only for high-risk groups.
Those include hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal ACWY, meningococcal B, RSV, and dengue.
Another group uses shared clinical decision-making.
It includes hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal disease, rotavirus, influenza, and COVID-19.
Debate and warnings
In December, President Donald Trump urged schedule changes.
He cited Denmark at 10 diseases, Japan 14, and Germany 15.
Dr. Sean O’Leary told NPR:
“It’s like comparing a cruise ship to a kayak,”
O’Leary also told the Times:
“They’re going to bring back suffering and death,”