What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future How and Why to Vaccinate Now
Jan 16, 2026
Dr. Lauren Hughes, a board-certified pediatrician and science communicator, shares vital insights on vaccination amid shifting guidelines. She discusses the erosion of trust in the CDC's recommendations and highlights critical vaccines removed from the routine list. Lauren explains the importance of early vaccination for infants and warns against comparing U.S. schedules to European models. She also emphasizes the role of community in combating misinformation, urging listeners to help protect children with accurate information.
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Trust In Federal Guidance Is Fraying
- The CDC schedule used to be a reliable, science-rooted guideline for pediatricians.
- Lauren Hughes says recent changes have broken that trust and created confusion for clinicians and families.
Ask Your Pediatrician About Existing Schedules
- Ask your pediatrician directly if you can still get the prior evidence-based vaccine schedule.
- Lauren Hughes recommends discussing timing, coverage, and whether insurance will pay now rather than assuming availability.
Specific Vaccines Were Downgraded
- The CDC removed routine recommendations for several vaccines and moved some to 'shared decision-making' or high-risk groups.
- Hughes calls those specific changes illogical and likely to cause fear about availability and coverage.