As a retired pediatrician, I was stunned by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changes to the 2026 vaccine schedule for children and teenagers. Vaccines against hepatitis A &B, influenza, meningitis, respiratory syncytial virus and rotavirus are now recommended only for children at “high risk” or after consulting with your health care provider, what the CDC calls “shared clinical decision making”.
And what experts have pointed out is these changes were not based on new scientific information about the vaccines’effectiveness or potential side effects. Which leads to me to question, what led to sidelining important vaccines which protect our children’s well-being? During my quarter century caring for pediatric patients, I diagnosed and treats children with these illnesses before the there were vaccines. And understand firsthand, these diseases which can kill children or leave them with permanent disabling conditions.
I diagnosed and treated children with these illnesses before vaccines for them were developed. And understand firsthand, they often send patients to the hospital and put them at risk for secondary bacterial infections which may at the worse, kill children or permanent disabling conditions.
Thankfully, the Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the professional organization I was a member of for over 40 years, did not change their immunization recommendations and many other physician, nurse practitioner and physician assistant groups continue to support AAP recommendations.
During my quarter century caring for pediatric patients, I diagnosed and treated children with these illnesses before vaccines for them were developed. And understand firsthand, they often send patients to the hospital and put them at risk for secondary bacterial infections which may at the worse, kill children or permanent disabling conditions. The CDC is a federal agency. Each state is still free to set their own immunization requirements for daycare and school entrance. But will state Medicaid programs continue to provide all of the AAP recommended vaccines or begin to cut corners due to budget deficit?And if this happens, will private insurance companies no longer pay for “shared clinical decision making” vaccines? Stay tuned, it’s too early to say. But vaccinate your children!
