(Jan. 9, 2025) – This week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has adopted changes to the U.S. childhood immunization schedule. According to HHS's announcement, the CDC will continue to organize the childhood immunization schedule into three categories:
- Immunizations recommended for all children;
- Immunizations recommended for certain high-risk groups or populations; and
- Immunizations based on shared clinical decision-making.
HHS also emphasized in its announcement that all categories require insurance companies to cover them without cost-sharing. Below are the CDC's recommendations for each category in its newly adopted schedule.
- Immunizations recommended for all children: measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type B, pneumococcal disease, human papillovirus and varicella;
- Immunizations recommended for certain high-risk groups or populations: respiratory syncytial virus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, dengue, meningococcal ACWY and meningococcal B; and
- Immunizations based on shared clinical decision making: rotavirus, COVID-19, influenza, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
In response to the CDC's changes to immunization recommendations, the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly opposed the federal health officials' decision to stop recommending many routine childhood immunizations. In its response, the organization reiterated it will continue to publish the AAP-recommended childhood immunization schedule. In addition to the immunizations the CDC lists as recommended for all children, the AAP continues to recommend the RSV, COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, rotavirus, meningococcal ACWY and meningococcal B vaccines.
KHA is a founding member of the Immunize Kansas Coalition, a coalition of health care providers, other health organizations, and stakeholders working to improve vaccination rates and protect Kansans from vaccine-preventable diseases. Visit the Immunize Kansas Coalition for evidence-based resources that help strengthen vaccine confidence and improve vaccination rates.
--Karen Braman