The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began recommending vaccines against 11 diseases, effective Monday, after an overhaul of the national vaccine schedule. The move, initiated after a review requested by President Donald Trump in December, reduces the number of broadly recommended vaccines for children, now only recommending protections against flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis, and RSV for specific high-risk groups or through shared decision-making with a doctor.

The Trump administration asserted that the changes, long advocated by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., would not limit access to vaccines for families who want them, and that insurance coverage would continue. However, medical experts have voiced concerns that the revised recommendations could lead to increased confusion among parents and a potential rise in preventable diseases.

The review by the Department of Health and Human Services examined how peer nations approach vaccine recommendations. The decision to narrow the scope of universal vaccine recommendations reflects an effort to align U.S. policy with practices in other countries, according to administration officials.

Pediatricians across the nation have criticized the revised guidelines. They argue that the previous, more comprehensive recommendations provided a clear and consistent standard for childhood immunization, and that the new approach introduces unnecessary ambiguity. Concerns have been raised that the shift towards shared decision-making could place undue burden on both parents and physicians, potentially leading to inconsistent vaccination rates.

The CDC is expected to release updated guidance for healthcare providers and parents to clarify the new recommendations and address concerns about access and coverage. The agency also plans to monitor the impact of the changes on vaccination rates and disease incidence.