Overview
- The CDC reclassified shots for influenza, rotavirus, hepatitis A and B, meningococcal disease, and RSV to high‑risk or shared clinical decision‑making, keeping universal recommendations for 11 diseases including MMR, polio, DTaP, Hib, pneumococcal, HPV, and varicella.
- The agency now endorses a single dose of the HPV vaccine instead of the previous two‑dose series.
- HHS and CMS said insurers must continue to cover all listed vaccines without patient cost‑sharing regardless of category.
- The move followed President Trump’s directive to align with peer nations and an internal review led by Martin Kulldorff and Tracy Beth Høeg, with acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill approving the update.
- Medical societies including the AAP, IDSA, and AMA criticized the departure from the ACIP process and warned of confusion and potential disease resurgence, while states retain authority over vaccine mandates and legal challenges are being explored.