US Revises Childhood Immunizations: Fewer Mandatory Vaccines

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommends a smaller number of vaccines for most American children, CNN reports.

Vaccination recommendations for measles, mumps, and rubella, as well as for polio, varicella, HPV, and other diseases, remain in effect. At the same time, however, health authorities are limiting recommendations for immunization against meningococcal disease, hepatitis B, and hepatitis A only to children who are at a higher risk of infection.

For influenza, Covid-19, and rotavirus vaccines, “shared clinical decision-making” is recommended, meaning parents should consult with a medical professional if they wish for their child to be immunized. These changes come amid a sharp increase in influenza cases across the country. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nine pediatric influenza-related deaths have been recorded this season.

HHS specifies that all insurers will continue to cover vaccines without a co-payment. Nevertheless, the new rules may create additional difficulties for parents, who will need to seek medical consultation for immunizations that are no longer routinely recommended for healthy children.

The Department adds that recommendations for vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remain unchanged. Infants born to mothers who did not receive an RSV vaccine should receive one dose.