You may have heard that federal health officials recently cut the number of recommended childhood vaccines. In January 2026, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) removed several life-saving vaccines from its routine immunization schedule for kids. Many of the vaccines have been recommended by doctors for years.
The decision was not based on any new scientific evidence. This breaks from the
careful review process that has helped keep kids in the United States healthy for decades. Here's what changed, why it matters and what families should do.
What changed in the federal vaccine plan?
These vaccines were cut from the U.S. recommended schedule: rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, COVID-19, influenza and meningococcal disease. The HPV vaccine is still recommended, though the federal schedule removed one dose. The AAP still recommends all these vaccines for children.
In addition, the revised federal plan now sorts vaccines into three groups:
- Recommended for all kids
- For kids at high risk only
- Based on "shared clinical decision-making"
These new groups cause confusion. Some shots now listed as "high-risk only" actually are important for almost all kids—not just those with special health concerns. For example, the RSV vaccine is now listed as "high risk," but most infants need it if the pregnant parent didn't get the maternal RSV shot.
Why is it best to follow the AAP vaccine recommendations?
The AAP recommendations, based on decades of ongoing research, have saved
millions of lives. The AAP evidence-based plan provides the
ideal vaccine timeline for healthy children as their immune system develops.
It is not possible to predict who will get seriously ill from a vaccine-preventable disease. Doctors worry that more kids in the United States will get sick with preventable diseases if they follow the pared down federal schedule. These diseases can creep back and cause outbreaks without the immune protection on-time, routine immunizations provide.
Concerns about the new federal immunization recommendations
Normally, changes to childhood immunization recommendations include a
public meeting to allow feedback from medical specialists and input from community members. This time, there was no open discussion.
Instead, a very small group of politically appointed federal officials made the decision without following the usual
careful review process. They removed seven vaccines that doctors have long recommended for all kids. They based the change on a simple comparison with some other countries.
Federal officials said they changed the schedule because they believe that the U.S. is an "outlier" in terms of how many vaccines we recommend. But the U.S. CDC schedule that was recommended at the end of 2024—and what the AAP continues to recommend—is closer to that of many other countries. The country that the CDC chose to model the new schedule after—Denmark—is more of an outlier in how few vaccines they recommend.
The federal changes took effect immediately—during a severe respiratory virus season. Another concern is that our health care system does not guarantee insurance will cover vaccines that are not recommended.
Does "shared clinical decision-making" mean these vaccines are optional?
Not exactly. It can be confusing to see that a vaccine is labeled "shared clinical decision-making." It may sound like a good approach; in fact, parents and pediatricans already have these conversations. But when the evidence is clear that the benefits outweigh the risks, guidance should be clear. Calling out a vaccine for "shared clinical decision-making" suggests that some vaccines are more important than others.
Will these changes affect my child's access to vaccines now?
For now, families should still be able to access all of the vaccines from their pediatrician. Insurance companies also have said they are committed to covering the vaccines that are listed on the full schedule—the vaccines that are on the
AAP schedule—for all of 2026.
The federal changes could make it harder for people to get the vaccines on the shared decision-making list in pharmacies, for example. However, this may depend on rules in your state.
What about access to vaccines in the future?
It is possible that in the future, federal vaccine categories could make it harder for families to get certain shots.
Not having a single, clear set of recommendations opens the door to gaps in coverage. That means many children with and without health insurance may not be able to receive the vaccines they need. Leaving some vaccines out to a private conversation between doctors and parents raises doubts about their benefits. This could lead to delaying or skipping them.
Why compare the U.S. immunization recommendations with those in other countries?
Every country bases its vaccine recommendations on its own health needs. Children and teens in other countries face different disease risks than kids in the United States.
Some nations are smaller, have fewer people and some have entirely different health systems (some provide free health care for everyone or offer paid maternity leave for 6 to 12 months). Others may be large and diverse like the U.S., but that still doesn't mean our vaccine plan should copy theirs. It's like setting your home's temperature based on the weather somewhere far away.
AAP recommendations are designed for kids who live in the U.S. They are based on U.S. data, disease patterns and our health system. The pace and timing of shots are meant to work best with kids' immune systems at certain ages and protect them when they are most at risk.
Before the rotavirus vaccine was available, for example, at least 40,000 U.S. babies and young children were hospitalized each year with severe diarrhea and vomiting caused by rotavirus infection. Because the risk was high here, the U.S. schedule gives rotavirus vaccine in early infancy to protect kids when they need it most. Children in other countries might not face the same risk from rotavirus. But, here in the U.S., the vaccine has kept thousands of babies out of the hospital.
What should parents do now?
The best thing you can do is rely on evidence-based recommendations about which vaccines to get, and when to get them. Your pediatrician is your best source for vaccine advice. They have the medical training and the specialized knowledge to help you sort through all the information out there and and any questions you may have.
More information