CDC Updates Childhood Immunization Schedule Following Presidential Memo

WASHINGTON,D.C. – JANUARY 5, 2026 – deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services⁣ Jim O’Neill, in his role as Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC), today‍ signed a decision memorandum accepting recommendations from a extensive scientific assessment of U.S. childhood immunization practices, following a directive from President Trump to review international best practices from⁤ peer, developed countries.

On december 5, 2025, via a Presidential Memorandum,President Trump directed the Secretary of HHS and the Acting Director of CDC to examine how peer,developed nations ‍structure their childhood vaccination schedules and to evaluate the scientific evidence underlying those practices. He instructed⁢ them ⁢to update the U.S. childhood⁢ vaccine schedule if superior approaches exist abroad while preserving access to vaccine currently ‍available to Americans.

After consulting with health ministries of peer nations,⁤ considering the assessment’s findings, and reviewing the decision⁤ memo presented by national Institutes of Health Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, Food and Drug Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet oz, Acting Director O’Neill formally accepted the recommendations and directed⁣ the CDC to ⁣move forward with implementation.

“President Trump directed us to examine how other developed nations protect ⁤their ⁢children and to take action if they are doing better,” Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said. “After an exhaustive review of the evidence, we are aligning the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule with international consensus while strengthening clarity and informed⁢ consent. This ⁢decision⁣ protects children, respects families, and rebuilds trust in public health.”

The scientific ‍assessment compared U.S. childhood ⁢immunization recommendations with those of peer nations, analyzed vaccine uptake and public trust, evaluated clinical and epidemiological evidence and knowledge gaps, examined vaccine mandates, and identified next steps.

The ⁤assessment reviewed 20 peer,developed nations and found that the U.S. is a global outlier among developed nations in both the number‍ of diseases addressed in its routine childhood vaccination schedule ⁢and ‍the total number of recommended doses but does not have‍ higher vaccination rates than⁢ such countries.