New guidelines take effect immediately as officials cite need to rebuild public health trust after pandemic
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Monday a major overhaul of the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule, reducing the number of routine immunizations recommended for children.
According to a CDC release, Deputy Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Jim O’Neill, serving as acting CDC director, signed a decision memorandum accepting the findings of a comprehensive scientific assessment ordered by President Donald Trump in December.
The assessment examined childhood immunization practices in 20 peer, developed nations and found that the United States is a “global outlier” in both the number of diseases covered by its routine childhood vaccine schedule and the total number of recommended doses.
The assessment also concluded that the U.S. does not achieve higher vaccination rates than countries that recommend fewer vaccines.