Last month, The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its recommended immunization schedule for all children. Here’s what parents need to know.
What are the new CDC recommendations?
According to the release, the CDC will continue to recommend that all children are vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (whooping cough), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Pneumococcal conjugate, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, human papillomavirus (HPV; recommendations are now one dose instead of two) and varicella (chickenpox).
The following immunization recommendations are based on shared clinical decision-making between patient and healthcare provider: rotavirus, COVID-19, influenza, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
According to the guidance, immunizations recommended for high-risk groups or populations are for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal, meningococcal ACWY, and meningococcal B.
When do the new recommendations from CDC go into effect?
The recommendations go in effect immediately.
Will my insurance still cover immunizations based on the recommendations?
According to the CDC’s release, all immunizations will continue to be fully covered by Affordable Care Act insurance plans and federal insurance programs, including Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Vaccines for Children program. Families will not have to purchase them out of pocket.
Why were there changes in the recommendations?
According to the CDC, the updated schedule is in contrast to the CDC child and adolescent schedule at the end of 2024.
“After reviewing the evidence, I signed a decision memorandum accepting the assessment’s recommendations,” says acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill in the press release. “The data support a more focused schedule that protects children from the most serious infectious diseases while improving clarity, adherence, and public confidence.”
There are 11 vaccines that are recommended for all children and six (including RSV/rotavirus, COVID-19, influenza, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A and hepatitis B) that can be discussed with a health provider based on the child’s individual medical needs.
“These recommendations are not based on any negative information about those six vaccines that had a guidance change,” says Dr. Michael Bigham, chief quality officer and pediatric intensivist at Akron Children’s Hospital. “(The guidance) simply says to have a conversation with your healthcare provider. I don’t want families to feel apprehensive about having that conversation. If they are uncertain, don’t make a decision that’s underinformed. Make a decision in partnership with your health care team.”
Can my child still receive all the vaccines?
Yes.
What is the impact of these recommendations on the community?
“The collective impact is that more and more kids are exposed to an illness because they haven’t received the vaccine, so more kids are likely to be infected,” Bigham says. “If groups of people are unimmunized, those infections can spread quickly between groups, which poses a bigger risk to the entire community.”
Dr. Shelly Senders, founder and CEO of Senders Pediatrics, says the goal should be to protect people against diseases that cause serious illness and death.
How should parents deal with questions about immunizations?
Parents who are concerned about the pros and cons of immunizations should speak to their pediatric providers.
“I think there will be a lot of questions,” Senders says. “But in the end, I actually don’t think this will impact our patients very much at all because we have spent over 30 years educating our patients about the personal and societal benefits of vaccines.”
Senders welcomes that there will be more conversations taking place in the office so parents can receive information to make the right decisions.
“That is what shared clinical decision making is,” Senders says. “It means providers and parents partnering together to keep children healthy.”
Bigham says parents should go to their trusted healthcare source.
“I think (families) have to be aware of potential misinformation or inaccurate information that’s out there,” he says. “I think there is a risk of some information overload. As you get closer to your child’s next well visit or their next healthcare encounter, maybe there is a need to do a bit of homework on your own, but just be prepared to have that conversation with your healthcare provider to get any concerns answered.”
Bigham says pediatricians are very comfortable with talking with families and helping guide those conversations.
“We want the same thing, the best health outcomes,” he says.
Bigham adds sometimes best laid plans don’t work out and if the parents miss an appointment or if the vaccine schedule gets off course for some reason, the pediatricians will be able to help your family get back on track.
“I wouldn’t have a parent panic,” he says. “They can’t turn back time, but we certainly have catch-up schedules for any vaccine that might be missed.”
