The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced updates to the U.S. childhood immunization schedule following a directive from President Trump. The decision comes after a comprehensive review of international vaccination practices and scientific evidence.
On December 5, 2025, President Trump issued a Presidential Memorandum instructing the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Acting Director of CDC to evaluate how developed nations structure their childhood vaccine schedules. The goal was to determine if alternative approaches abroad could inform improvements in the U.S., while maintaining access to existing vaccines.
After consulting with health ministries from peer countries 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 recommendations for updating the schedule.
"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 compared U.S. immunization recommendations with those in 20 developed countries, examining vaccine uptake rates, public trust levels, clinical data, mandates, and knowledge gaps. It found that while the United States recommends more vaccines for children than any peer nation—covering 18 diseases in 2024 compared to Denmark’s 10—this does not result in higher vaccination rates or better child health outcomes than countries recommending fewer vaccines.
"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, CDC will continue organizing vaccines into three categories: those recommended for all children; those recommended for certain high-risk groups; and those based on shared clinical decision-making between families and providers. Insurance companies will be required to cover all these immunizations without cost-sharing.
Dr. Oz stated: "All vaccines currently recommended by CDC will remain covered by insurance without cost sharing. 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 report also highlighted declining public trust in healthcare institutions between 2020 and 2024 alongside falling childhood vaccination rates.
"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."
Recommendations call for further research through placebo-controlled trials and long-term studies on vaccine benefits and risks.
"Science demands continuous evaluation," said Dr. Jay Bhattacharya."This decision commits NIH, CDC, and FDA to gold standard science,g reater transparency,and ongoing reassessment as new data emerge."
HHS agencies plan to work with state partners,support education efforts about updated schedules,and fund additional research as outlined.
