The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced changes to the U.S. childhood immunization schedule, following a directive from President Trump to review vaccination practices in other developed countries. The update comes after a scientific assessment comparing U.S. recommendations with those of 20 peer nations.
President Trump issued a memorandum on December 5, 2025, instructing the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Acting Director of CDC to examine international childhood vaccine schedules and consider adopting superior approaches while maintaining access to current vaccines.
After consultations with health ministries abroad and reviewing findings presented by National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, Food and Drug Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, Acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill accepted the assessment’s recommendations.
“President Trump directed us to examine how other developed nations protect their children and to take action if they are doing better,” said Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “After an exhaustive review of the evidence, we are aligning the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule with international consensus while strengthening transparency and informed consent. This decision protects children, respects families, and rebuilds trust in public health.”
The assessment found that the United States recommends more vaccines for children than any other peer nation but does not achieve higher vaccination rates compared to those countries. Some European nations recommend fewer routine vaccines yet maintain strong child health outcomes through public trust and education rather than mandates. For example, Denmark immunizes against 10 diseases compared to 18 in the U.S., as of 2024.
“After reviewing the evidence, I signed a decision memorandum accepting the assessment’s recommendations,” said Acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill. “The data support a more focused schedule that protects children from the most serious infectious diseases while improving clarity, adherence, and public confidence.”
Under the new framework, childhood immunizations will be organized into three categories: recommended for all children; recommended for certain high-risk groups or populations; and based on shared clinical decision-making between parents and clinicians. Insurance companies will continue covering all recommended vaccines without cost-sharing.
“All vaccines currently recommended by CDC will remain covered by insurance without cost sharing,” said Dr. Oz. “No family will lose access. This framework empowers parents and physicians to make individualized decisions based on risk, while maintaining strong protection against serious disease.”
The assessment also highlighted declining public trust in healthcare institutions between 2020 and 2024, falling vaccination rates among children, and increased risks from vaccine-preventable diseases.
“Public health works only when people trust it,” said Dr. Makary. “That trust depends on transparency, rigorous science, and respect for families. This decision recommits HHS to all three.”
The recommendations call for further research using gold standard methods such as placebo-controlled randomized trials and long-term observational studies to better understand vaccine benefits and risks.
“Science demands continuous evaluation,” said Dr. Jay Bhattacharya. “This decision commits NIH, CDC, and FDA to gold standard science, greater transparency, and ongoing reassessment as new data emerge.”
HHS and CDC plan to collaborate with state agencies, physician groups, parents, and clinicians during implementation of these changes.
