Dr. Michael Bigham
Dr. Michael Bigham, pediatric ICU physician, parent and chief quality officer at Akron Children’s, answers common questions about recent changes to the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) childhood vaccine schedule.
What changed in the CDC childhood vaccine schedule?
The CDC recently updated its childhood vaccine schedule. While all 17 vaccines remain available, the number of vaccines universally recommended for all children has been reduced from 17 to 11.
The remaining 6 vaccines are now recommended for high-risk children. For children at standard risk, these vaccines are part of a shared decision-making discussion between families and their health care provider.
Are all childhood vaccines still available to my child?
Yes. All 17 vaccines are still available through your pediatrician’s office. Pediatric practices will continue to stock these vaccines, including those no longer universally recommended. Families and providers can decide together whether a vaccine is appropriate for a child based on their individual health needs.
Will insurance still cover all vaccines?
Yes. Vaccines are expected to remain covered by Medicaid and private insurance, including those no longer universally recommended by the CDC. Families should not face new out-of-pocket costs when deciding whether to vaccinate their child.
Do parents need to prove medical risk to receive non-recommended vaccines?
No. Vaccines now recommended primarily for high-risk children are still available to standard-risk children. Parents don’t need to provide documentation or prove medical need. The only change is that these vaccines now involve a conversation and shared decision-making with the health care provider.
How do pediatricians feel about the new vaccine recommendations?
Many pediatric professionals are concerned and confused by the changes. Pediatricians are scientists and some are parents too, and there’s concern that differing recommendations between the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) could cause confusion for families.
At Akron Children’s, providers are committed to helping families navigate these changes with clear, honest information about vaccine safety, benefits and scientific evidence.
Can vaccines be spaced out instead of given on the recommended schedule?
The recommended vaccine schedule is designed to maximize immune protection and prevent serious illness.
Some families choose to space vaccines differently, and those decisions should always involve a discussion with your provider. However, research shows that families who follow non-standard or custom schedules are less likely to complete the full vaccination series by the end of childhood. Understanding that risk is an important part of informed decision-making.
When does the new vaccine schedule take effect?
The exact implementation timeline is still unclear. For families, routine pediatric visits should look the same. Vaccines will remain available, and pediatricians will continue discussing recommended vaccines and those now part of shared decision-making.
What is the most important takeaway for parents?
Your pediatrician’s priority is your child’s health and safety.
Parents should feel informed, comfortable asking questions and empowered to make decisions alongside their health care provider. Families and pediatricians share the same goal: the best possible health outcomes for children.
Parenting comes with tough decisions, and it’s natural to look online for answers. The most important step is knowing which information to trust. By asking questions and partnering with your child’s health care team, you can protect your child from illness – and from misinformation.
Akron Children’s Healthy Info, Healthy Kids campaign provides parents with reliable information, so they can confidently make decisions about their child’s health and well-being.
