CDC revamps childhood immunization guidance, recommends fewer shots

On Monday, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a sweeping revision to the U.S. childhood vaccination schedule, reducing the number of vaccines routinely recommended for all children and shifting several shots to a more selective approach. The updated guidance, which takes effect immediately, now advises immunization against 11 diseases for most children, down from as many as 18 under the previous schedule. Federal health officials say the changes are intended to rebuild public confidence in vaccination following declines in routine immunization during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.  According to the scientific assessment that informed the decision,