U.S. Considers Scaling Back Federal Childhood Vaccine Recommendations

The Trump administration is weighing a significant change to national vaccination policy, potentially reducing the number of childhood vaccines formally recommended by federal health agencies. Instead, parents would be encouraged to consult with doctors to make decisions about most immunizations, according to two people familiar with the discussions.

Such a move would mark a departure from the longstanding U.S. system, in which federal authorities set clear guidelines to protect children against infectious diseases. The details remain unsettled, including which vaccines might be affected, but the deliberations reflect President Donald Trump’s recent directive to explore a leaner schedule. He has described the United States as an “outlier” compared with other developed nations and said any revisions should preserve access to all currently available shots.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has long raised concerns about the vaccine schedule, has called for closer scrutiny. During his Senate confirmation hearings, however, he stated that he supports the existing framework.

Andrew Nixon, spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, cautioned against speculation, saying, “Unless you hear it from HHS directly, this is pure speculation.” CNN first reported the administration’s interest in aligning more closely with Denmark’s vaccination practices.

Currently, the U.S. recommends immunizations against 18 infectious diseases, including COVID-19, according to a December Food and Drug Administration presentation. Denmark, by comparison, advises protection against 10 diseases and does not recommend vaccines for influenza, respiratory syntactical virus (RSV), or chickenpox, among others.