What changed and what it means for families:
Earlier this month, federal health officials announced changes to the U.S. childhood immunization schedule. Several vaccines that were previously recommended for all children are now listed as either recommended only for certain high-risk groups or as vaccines that require “shared clinical decision making” between families and health care providers.
Shared clinical decision making means a vaccine is not automatically recommended for every child. Instead, parents and caregivers are expected to talk with a health care provider about whether their child should get that vaccine. This is different from routine recommendations, where providers typically offer the vaccine as part of standard care. Research shows that many people do not clearly understand what shared clinical decision making means, and some believe it suggests that the vaccine may not be safe or necessary, even when that is not the case.
These changes may affect what happens during a child’s doctor visit. Families may find that some vaccines are no longer brought up unless they ask. This means parents and caregivers may need to be more proactive and ask their child’s provider which vaccines are available for their child, especially for vaccines that have moved out of the routine category.
It is important to know that these federal changes do not prevent families from vaccinating their children. Vaccines are still available, and programs like Vaccines for Children continue to provide access. These vaccines may also still be required for school since vaccine requirements are set by states, not by this federal schedule.
Families looking for clear guidance can turn to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Both organizations continue to recommend the full childhood immunization schedule based on strong scientific evidence, and their schedules have not changed. Many pediatricians and family doctors continue to follow these schedules when caring for children.
Children still need all of their vaccines
Even though some vaccines are no longer recommended as routine for all children, the diseases they prevent have not disappeared. These vaccines still protect children from illnesses that can spread quickly, cause serious complications, and lead to hospital stays or death.
Influenza (flu)
Influenza, also known as the flu, is a good example. Each year in the United States, hundreds of children are hospitalized because of the flu, and many die from complications. During the 2023–2024 flu season, 199 children died from influenza, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The flu vaccine lowers the chance of severe illness and helps protect families and communities.
Families know this firsthand. One Voices for Vaccines story shares how Beckett, a child with a medical condition, faces serious danger from common viruses like flu. His family explains how vaccination helps protect him and others like him. Another parent writes about how their family learned the hard way how serious the flu can be and why they now make flu vaccination a priority every year.
Rotavirus
Rotavirus is another disease that once sent tens of thousands of young children to the hospital each year. Before the rotavirus vaccine was introduced, nearly all children were infected by age five, and many became dangerously dehydrated. Vaccination has sharply reduced hospital visits, but rotavirus can still spread quickly when vaccination rates drop.
Hepatitis A and B
Hepatitis A and hepatitis B infections can damage the liver and sometimes lead to lifelong health problems, including cancer. Hepatitis B can be spread at birth or during early childhood, even when parents do not know they are infected. That is why doctors have long recommended vaccinating babies early. Vaccination protects children from infections that may not show symptoms right away but can cause serious illness years later.
RSV
RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is one of the leading causes of hospitalization for infants in the United States. Each year, tens of thousands of babies are hospitalized because of RSV. Even healthy infants can become very sick. Protection against RSV helps keep babies out of the hospital during respiratory virus season.
Meningococcal ACWY and B
Meningococcal disease is rare, but it can move fast and be deadly. It can cause meningitis or blood infections, sometimes killing healthy children and teens within hours. Survivors may lose limbs or suffer permanent brain damage. Vaccination is one of the few ways to protect against this unpredictable disease.
#AskForVax
If a vaccine is no longer offered automatically, parents and caregivers may need to ask about it. Starting the conversation with a health care provider can help ensure children stay protected from serious, preventable diseases.
