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US reduces the number of vaccines recommended for children
The United States Department of Health has announced a revision of its childhood immunization guidelines, reducing the number of vaccines recommended for all children. The decision has sparked concern among many health professionals, who warn of possible public health consequences.
Under the updated policy, several vaccines that were previously advised for the entire pediatric population will now be recommended only for children considered to be at higher risk. These include vaccines against seasonal influenza, hepatitis A and B, meningococcal infections, and rotavirus, a common cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants. The Covid-19 vaccine had already been removed from the list of universally recommended childhood vaccines earlier.
US authorities say the reform aims to align national vaccination guidelines with practices observed in other developed countries. According to the Health Department, the review was based on an assessment of available scientific data, with an emphasis on transparency and informed consent.
However, many doctors and infectious disease specialists have expressed unease. They argue that the existing vaccination schedule has been built on decades of research and has played a key role in preventing serious and sometimes fatal illnesses among children.
Medical experts also warn that declining vaccination coverage, observed since the Covid-19 pandemic, could increase the risk of outbreaks of highly contagious diseases, such as measles. The debate reflects broader tensions in the United States over vaccination policies and public trust in health institutions.
