US Alters Vaccine Recommendations, Sparking Safety Concerns

Thu Jan 08 2026 11:50:44 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The US has revised its childhood vaccine schedule, recommending fewer vaccines than before, which raises alarms among health experts worried about public health risks.

In a groundbreaking policy change, the US has reduced the number of vaccines recommended for children, prompting concerns from medical professionals. While officials argue this is intended to build public trust and align with international practices, critics warn it may compromise child safety and lead to increased disease outbreaks. Experts emphasize that important vaccinations like the flu shot should not be optional, fearing this decision could result in more hospitalizations and fatalities among children.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. made a significant move on Monday by revising its recommended vaccines for children, leaving families to decide on other immunizations such as flu shots without clear guidance. Officials claim that this change will not impact access or insurance coverage for vaccines, but many medical experts have criticized the decision, expressing concerns that it could lead to lower vaccination rates and increased disease prevalence.

The revision followed an instruction from President Donald Trump to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in December to examine vaccine recommendations from peer nations and consider aligning U.S. practices with theirs. HHS officials noted that the U.S. was an 'outlier' in both the number and types of vaccines recommended, framing the change as a method to rebuild public trust in vaccination by focusing on essential immunizations.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated, 'This decision protects children, respects families, and rebuilds trust in public health.' However, experts like Michael Osterholm from the Vaccine Integrity Project voiced strong disagreements, emphasizing that eliminating recommendations for vaccines such as influenza, hepatitis, and others poses serious risks, potentially leading to more hospitalizations and preventable deaths amongst American children.