Today, federal health officials announced a major update to the childhood immunization schedule. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends routine vaccination against 11 diseases for all children, down from 18 diseases covered in the prior guidelines.
The universally recommended diseases include diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), pneumococcal disease, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), and human papillomavirus (HPV). Combination vaccines remain in use, such as DTaP for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, and MMR for measles, mumps, and rubella.
Prior to the revision, the schedule routinely recommended protection against additional diseases, including hepatitis B, hepatitis A, rotavirus, influenza, COVID-19, meningococcal disease, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). These immunizations now fall under recommendations for high-risk groups or shared clinical decision-making between providers and families.
The update also reduces certain doses. For instance, the HPV vaccine shifts to a single dose, following approaches in several peer nations.
A comprehensive review compared U.S. practices with those in 20 developed countries. The assessment determined that the United States previously recommended vaccines against more diseases and administered more than twice as many doses as some European nations, yet achieved comparable vaccination outcomes.
The changes stem from a Presidential Memorandum issued by President Trump on December 5, 2025. The directive instructed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and CDC to evaluate childhood vaccination practices in peer nations and adopt evidence-based improvements while maintaining access to all vaccines.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. described the rationale. “President Trump directed us to examine how other developed nations protect their children and to take action if they are doing better. 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.”
The new guidelines took effect immediately. The CDC restructured recommendations into three categories: universal for all children, targeted for high-risk groups, and based on shared clinical decision-making.
All approved vaccines continue to be covered without cost-sharing under the Affordable Care Act and federal programs. Families and providers retain access to any immunization, regardless of its category.
The CDC plans to partner with states, medical organizations, and communities to inform parents and healthcare professionals about the updates. Officials stated that the revisions aim to improve clarity, boost adherence, and restore confidence in immunization practices.