The Brian Lehrer Show

Changes to the Childhood Vaccine Schedule

Jan 6, 2026
In this insightful discussion, Jessica Malaty Rivera, an infectious disease epidemiologist and public health communicator, dives into the recent changes to the childhood vaccine schedule under Health Secretary RFK Jr. She explains the implications for public health and highlights how the shift may create confusion among parents about high-risk designations. Jessica raises concerns over the risks of cutting infant RSV and rotavirus vaccinations, potential insurance coverage issues, and the equity implications for low-income families. A must-listen for those navigating vaccine decisions!
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INSIGHT

Major Immediate Cuts To U.S. Childhood Schedule

  • The CDC under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. immediately reduced the childhood vaccine schedule from 17 to 11 vaccines.
  • Several universal recommendations including hepatitis A/B, rotavirus, RSV, meningitis, HPV, COVID and flu were removed or limited.
INSIGHT

You Can't Directly Compare Countries' Schedules

  • Vaccine schedules are tailored to national population size, health baselines, and health systems.
  • Comparing U.S. recommendations directly to Denmark or other small countries is misleading because of huge demographic and healthcare differences.
ADVICE

Understand Risk-Based vs. Universal Recommendations

  • Recognize that some vaccines remain recommended for high‑risk children even after the changes.
  • Don't treat the new language as novel permission: parents have always been able to refuse or delay vaccines.
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