Commentary|Articles|February 27, 2026

Revised Childhood Immunization Schedule Lacks Transparency: Former ACIP Member Noel T. Brewer, PhD

Author(s)Brooke McCormick, Noel T. Brewer, PhD

Noel T. Brewer, PhD, former ACIP member, warns that the CDC's reduction from 17 to 11 recommended immunizations lacks transparency, which may lower uptake.

Early last month, the CDC announced major revisions to the US childhood immunization schedule, reducing the number of diseases covered by routine vaccines from 17 to 11. This followed a December 2025 presidential memorandum directing HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr and acting CDC director Jim O’Neill to update the schedule if “superior approaches” were identified abroad.