Breaking: HHS Makes Sweeping Changes to Childhood Vaccine Schedule

The changes create a new framework that keeps all currently recommended vaccines available and fully covered while moving several vaccines into a category designed to emphasize shared decision-making between families and clinicians.

THE DEFENDER

January 5, 2026

By Brenda Baletti, Ph.D.

Federal health officials today outlined sweeping changes to the U.S. childhood immunization schedule.

The changes create a new framework that keeps all currently recommended vaccines available and fully covered while moving several vaccines into a category designed to emphasize shared decision-making between families and clinicians.

The new recommendations reduce the number of vaccines recommended as routine for all children to 11 from 17, a move The New York Times called a "seismic shift” in federal vaccine policy. 

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Children's Health Defense® is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is ending childhood health epidemics by eliminating toxic exposure. We will restore and protect the health of children by eliminating environmental exposures, holding responsible parties accountable, and establishing safeguards to prevent future harm of children's health. Protecting Children. Exposing Harms. Seeking Justice.

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