Extra: What's Behind The Massive Vaccine Guideline Changes

Jan 11, 2026

Dr. Robert Redfield, former CDC director and infectious disease expert, discusses the significant changes to the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule. He explains the new three-category framework, assuring that no vaccines are being removed. Redfield emphasizes the importance of respectful dialogue with vaccine-skeptical parents and acknowledges the reality of vaccine injuries. He argues for liability on vaccine manufacturers and insists that state mandates remain crucial for school attendance, ultimately stressing the need to rebuild public trust in health institutions.

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INSIGHT

Three-Tier Vaccine Framework

Robert R. Redfield says the CDC's fresh review groups vaccines into recommended, high-risk, and shared decision-making categories.
He argues no vaccine is being removed and the change promotes dialogue and transparency.

ADVICE

Educate Rather Than Mandate

Encourage clinicians to educate patients about vaccine benefits instead of mandating blindly.
Teach people to "vaccinate with confidence" to reduce hesitancy and increase uptake.

ANECDOTE

Personal Loss Shaped Vaccine Efforts

Redfield recounts his first year as CDC director when many children died of flu and most were unvaccinated.
He used that experience to push programs that encourage vaccination through education.

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The CDC announced Monday a major overhaul of the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule, reducing the number of routine immunizations recommended for children.

In December, President Trump directed Health and Human Services officials to examine how other developed nations schedule vaccines and to reconsider the U.S. approach.

FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary said the changes are intended to restore public trust in health institutions that was lost during the pandemic.

However, criticism has been fierce. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have pushed back, and the American Academy of Pediatrics has called the move dangerous and unnecessary.

Vaccine schedules are handled by the states, meaning states may continue to mandate certain vaccines for school attendance. The updated recommendations also do not eliminate insurance coverage for any vaccines.

The CDC changes create three categories.

The eleven vaccines that remain in the recommended category include measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis, HPV, and chickenpox.

A second category recommends vaccines for individuals considered high-risk, including hepatitis A and B and RSV.

The third category includes vaccines available by personal choice after consultation with a doctor, including COVID-19, flu, rotavirus, and others.

Earlier this week, former CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield joined FOX News Rundown host Jessica Rosenthal to discuss the new and reduced childhood vaccine schedule recommendations.

Dr. Redfield, author of the new book Redfield’s Warning: What I Learned (But Couldn’t Tell You) Might Save Your Life, explained why he supports the changes, while also emphasizing the importance of doctors clearly explaining the benefits of vaccines.

He also discussed why public trust has eroded and why encouraging vaccine choice and transparency could ultimately lead more Americans to get the shots needed to protect themselves from disease.

We often have to cut interviews short during the week, but we thought you might like to hear the full conversation.

Today on Fox News Rundown Extra, we share our entire interview with former CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield—and more of his perspective on vaccines.

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