On January 5, 2026, federal health officials updated the national childhood vaccine schedule. The move lowers the number of diseases targeted by routine shots from 17 to 11.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) made the changes following a December 2025 order from President Donald Trump. He directed federal health agencies to match U.S. vaccine recommendations with those in countries like Denmark, Japan, and Germany.
The Updated Schedule
The updated schedule focuses on 11 core diseases. This list includes shots for polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox. It also keeps the pneumonia and Hib vaccines. Both protect against bacterial infections that can lead to meningitis, a dangerous swelling of the brain and spinal cord. Additionally, health officials continue to recommend the combination shot for diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough.
The HPV vaccine, which prevents certain cancers, also remains on the list. However, it will now require only a single shot instead of multiple doses.
Several vaccines once recommended for all children will now be limited to those at high risk of infection. This includes shots for RSV (a common respiratory virus), hepatitis A and B, and certain types of meningitis.
In addition, vaccines for the flu, COVID-19, and rotavirus (a virus that causes severe diarrhea in infants) are now optional. Parents and doctors will decide together if a child needs these shots based on the child's specific health needs.
Reasons for the Change
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the goal of the change is to make the process for setting the vaccine schedule more transparent and ensure parents have all the facts. He added that the change is meant to restore public trust in the healthcare system, noting that a review found the U.S. previously recommended more vaccine doses than 20 other countries.
To speed up the process, HHS put the new guidelines into effect without the usual scientific reviews or feedback from its panel of vaccine experts. Earlier in 2025, Secretary Kennedy Jr. had replaced every member of the department’s vaccine advisory committee. At a Jan. 5 news briefing, Acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill announced the updated schedule would take effect immediately.
Insurance and Health Concerns
Dr. Mehmet Oz, who oversees federal Medicare and Medicaid programs, said insurance providers will still cover all vaccines—including those no longer on the routine list—at no cost to families.
Public health experts and immunologists—doctors who study the immune system—worry the changes could lead to a rise in diseases once under control. These specialists noted that the CDC confirmed nine child deaths related to the flu during the 2025-2026 winter season.
Legal experts are also reviewing whether the Health Secretary has the power to change the vaccine schedule on his own. Some argue the policy change may have violated federal laws about how agencies must update their rules.
