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An extensive revision of US childhood immunisation guidelines has led to a reduction in the number of routinely recommended immunizations from 17 to 11.

The freshly released list from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention retains core vaccines for diseases like poliomyelitis and measles. However, several others, such as liver infection vaccines and Covid vaccines, are now classified based on individual risk factors and subject to "joint medical decision-making" involving doctors and parents.

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

This far-reaching policy shift represents the latest major move undertaken under the present administration by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Official Justification and Global Alignment

Kennedy claimed the revision came "following an exhaustive analysis" and "safeguards kids, honors parents, and rebuilds confidence in public health."

"This bringing the U.S. pediatric immunization calendar with global standards while strengthening transparency and informed consent," he continued.

Per the announcement, the new core schedule for all minors will include vaccines for:

• Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
• Polio
• Pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, and diphtheria (DTaP/Tdap)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• Pneumococcus disease
• HPV
• Chickenpox

3 Categories of Guidance

The revised structure creates three separate categories of vaccine guidance:

1. Core Vaccines: The eleven immunizations listed above are advised for all children.
2. Conditional Vaccines: This group includes shots for RSV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, dengue, and meningitis strains (ACWY and B). They are suggested based on a child's specific risk factors.
3. Optional Vaccines: Vaccinations for the coronavirus, the flu, and a stomach virus are now left to discretionary discussion and choice by parents and their doctors.

For the time being, health insurance will still pay for immunizations that are still on the schedule until the end of 2025.

International Context and Recent Controversy

The health agency conducted a review of current childhood schedules with those of twenty other developed nations. It determined the United States was "an international exception" in both the number of illnesses covered and the number of doses required, the Department of Health and Human Services reported.

This latest announcement comes a short time following a separate advisory panel adjusted the timing for the first liver infection shot. Formerly, a first dose was advised for infants within 24 hours of delivery. Updated rules last winter moved that to two months after birth if the parent tested negative for hepatitis B.

That earlier recommendation was widely condemned by paediatricians, with the AAP describing it "a dangerous move that will hurt children."