CDC adopts updated framework for U.S. childhood immunization schedule after presidential review

On January 5, 2026, the CDC announced it accepted recommendations following a federal directive to review childhood immunization schedules used in peer countries and evaluate the evidence behind them.

The agency said the U.S. schedule will continue to be organized into three categories—vaccines recommended for all children, those recommended for certain high-risk groups, and those based on shared clinical decision-making—while maintaining insurance coverage without cost sharing.

The CDC also pointed to declining public trust and falling vaccination rates as part of the context for the review and the updated framework.