The CDC just sidelined these childhood vaccines. Here's what they prevent.
January 7, 2026 / 8:51 AM EST / KFF Health News
TL;DR
- The CDC has stopped routinely recommending six childhood vaccines: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rotavirus, RSV, meningococcal disease, flu, and COVID.
- These vaccines have historically prevented millions of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths.
- The new guidance recommends these vaccines only for high-risk children or via shared clinical decision-making.
- Eleven childhood vaccines remain on the recommended schedule.
- Federal and private insurance will still cover the no-longer-routine vaccines.
- Experts express concern that the change will cause confusion and potentially lead to lower vaccination rates.
- HHS states the changes are based on a scientific review and align with other nations, though comparisons to Denmark are disputed.
- The specific diseases and their impact are detailed: RSV (leading cause of infant hospitalization), Hepatitis A (90%+ drop since 1996), Hepatitis B (99% decline in cases among children/teens), Rotavirus (previously caused 70,000 hospitalizations annually), Meningococcal disease (high fatality and disability rate), Flu and COVID (hundreds of child deaths in recent years).