HHS will overhaul childhood vaccine schedule to recommend fewer shots
Source: CNN Health
Updated Jan 5, 2026, 2:10 PM ET
PUBLISHED Jan 5, 2026, 2:00 PM ET
The US Department of Health and Human Services will recommend fewer vaccines for most American children, health officials said Monday.
Health officials will continue to recommend the measles, mumps and rubella vaccines and immunizations against polio, chickenpox, HPV and others, but will narrow recommendations for vaccination against the respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, meningococcal disease, hepatitis B, and hepatitis A to children who are broadly at higher risk for infections.
They will recommend that decisions on vaccinations against flu, Covid-19 and rotavirus be based on “shared clinical decision making,” which means people who want one must consult with a health care provider. The proposed changes come amid a sharp increase in flu cases across the country. So far, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported nine pediatric deaths so far this season.
HHS said that all insurers will still cover these vaccines without cost-sharing. However the changes could present new hurdles for parents who need to consult with doctors about immunizations no longer recommended for healthy children.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/05/health/childhood-vaccine-schedule-overhaul
This is breaking all over so they must have released their guidance.
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