Overview
- The HHS update, following a White House-ordered review, takes effect immediately and reduces universal pediatric recommendations from 17 to 11.
- Vaccines for rotavirus, influenza, meningococcal disease and hepatitis A shift to shared clinical decision-making between families and clinicians.
- Hepatitis B moves to a risk-based approach after the earlier removal of the universal newborn dose, and prior CDC guidance had already used shared-decision models for COVID-19 and some hepatitis B doses.
- The CDC will formalize implementation, and CMS administrator Mehmet Oz says insurers will continue to cover CDC-recommended vaccines without cost-sharing, while states keep authority over school and childcare requirements.
- Medical and pediatric leaders, including the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Sean O’Leary, condemn the process as lacking transparent review and warn the changes could increase risks to children.