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An comprehensive revision of US childhood vaccination protocols has resulted in a decrease in the number of routinely recommended vaccines from 17 to 11.

The freshly released list from the CDC includes essential vaccines for diseases like polio and rubeola. However, others, such as hepatitis A and B and Covid immunizations, are now categorized based on individual risk and subject to "joint clinical deliberation" involving physicians and guardians.

"The revised recommendation is dangerous and needless," criticized the American Academy of Pediatrics, describing the policy.

This sweeping guideline change represents the latest major action undertaken under the present administration by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Official Justification and International Comparison

Kennedy claimed the revision came "after an thorough review" and "safeguards kids, respects parents, and rebuilds confidence in the health system."

"This bringing the American childhood immunization schedule with international consensus while enhancing transparency and parental choice," he continued.

According to the announcement, the updated core schedule for every minors will cover immunizations for:

• Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
• Polio
• DTaP/Tdap (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• Pneumococcus infection
• HPV
• Varicella (chickenpox)

3 Categories of Guidance

The revised structure creates 3 distinct tiers of immunization guidance:

1. Universal Recommendations: The 11 shots mentioned above are recommended for all youngsters.
2. Risk-Based Vaccines: This group contains vaccines for RSV, hepatitis A, Hep B, dengue fever, and meningitis strains (ACWY and B). They are recommended based on a patient's specific risk factors.
3. Shared Decision-Making Group: Immunizations for the coronavirus, influenza, and rotavirus are now left to case-by-case discussion and decision between families and their doctors.

Currently, medical insurance will still pay for vaccines that are currently on the schedule until the end of 2025.

International Perspective and Recent Debate

The health agency conducted a review of existing pediatric schedules with those of twenty other developed nations. It found the US was "a global outlier" in both the quantity of diseases targeted and the number of doses required, the HHS said.

This recent announcement follows weeks after a separate CDC committee modified the timing for the first liver infection vaccine. Previously, a first shot was recommended for newborns within 24 hours of birth. Updated rules last winter moved that to two months after birth if the mother tested negative for the virus.

That earlier change was widely criticised by paediatricians, with the AAP calling it "a risky step that will harm kids."