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An extensive overhaul of US childhood vaccination guidelines has resulted in a decrease in the number of routinely advised immunizations from 17 to 11.

The freshly released list from the CDC includes essential shots for diseases like polio and rubeola. However, others, including hepatitis A and B and Covid vaccines, are now classified based on individual risk factors and subject to "shared clinical decision-making" involving doctors and parents.

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

This far-reaching policy change represents the most recent significant action implemented under the current government by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Official Rationale and International Alignment

Kennedy asserted the revision came "after an thorough review" and "protects children, honors families, and rebuilds confidence in public health."

"This bringing the U.S. pediatric vaccine schedule with international standards while enhancing transparency and informed consent," he continued.

According to the announcement, the updated core recommendation for all children will cover vaccines for:

• Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
• Poliovirus
• Pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, and diphtheria (DTaP/Tdap)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• Pneumococcal infection
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Varicella (chickenpox)

3 Categories of Recommendations

The new framework creates 3 separate tiers of vaccine advice:

1. Core Vaccines: The 11 immunizations listed above are advised for all children.
2. Conditional Vaccines: This group contains vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, dengue, and meningococcal strains (ACWY and B). These are recommended based on a child's specific health circumstances.
3. Optional Group: Immunizations for the coronavirus, the flu, and rotavirus are now subject to discretionary discussion and decision between families and their physicians.

Currently, health coverage will still pay for vaccines that are currently on the schedule until the close of 2025.

Global Perspective and Recent Debate

The CDC conducted a review of current pediatric schedules with those of 20 other developed countries. It determined the United States was "a global outlier" in both the number of illnesses covered and the number of shots required, the HHS said.

This recent announcement comes weeks after a separate CDC committee modified the schedule for the initial liver infection vaccine. Previously, a first shot was recommended for newborns within 24 hours of birth. Revised rules last December moved that to 60 days after birth if the parent tested non-reactive for hepatitis B.

That prior recommendation was roundly condemned by pediatric doctors, with the AAP calling it "a risky move that will harm children."