CDC Vaccine Schedule Change

The CDC this week recommended a new vaccine schedule with several vaccines removed from the recommended schedule. The CDC recommends continuing the current schedule for the following vaccines:

DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis)

Hib (haemophilus influenzae type B)

Polio

Prevnar (pneumococcal vaccine)

MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella)

Varicella (chicken pox)

HPV (one dose instead of two doses was recommended)

The following vaccines were recommended only for high-risk children or after discussion with your health care provider:

Meningococcal vaccine Hep A

Hep B

RSV

Influenza

COVID-19

Rotavirus

The CDC compares this schedule to Denmark’s vaccine schedule and argues that it is one of Europe’s elite countries. What wasn't mentioned is that Denmark has a population of 6 million people, compared to the US population of 340 million. Denmark also has a universal healthcare system and a much less diverse population than the USA. Comparing the US with Denmark is not a reasonable way to protect our children. The American Academy of Pediatrics has strongly opposed this change in CDC recommendations. The AAP has been an unwavering advocate for American children for over 95 years and unequivocally supports the previous schedule for vaccines, including all the second list of vaccines, for all children. These vaccines are safe and extremely successful in reducing these dangerous and potentially life-threatening infections. For example, the infection rate of Hepatitis A reduced by 95% from 1996 to 2011 after the introduction of Hepatitis A vaccine in 2006. The incidence of Hepatitis B in children reduced by 99% after the vaccine was given to newborns and in infancy.

I remember in our local hospital treating 5-10 babies a month with severe diarrhea in the winters before the Rotavirus vaccine was introduced. After the vaccine was given to all infants, it was extremely rare to see a patient with Rotavirus, a severe form of diarrhea resulting in dehydration and requiring IV fluids.

We are seeing a massive increase in influenza with the deaths of 9 children so far in the US. The Flu vaccine is not 100% effective against the flu because there are so many strains, but getting the vaccine reduces the severity of flu symptoms. The AAP recommends all children (and all adults) get the flu vaccine.

Meningococcal disease, including meningitis, is more common in teens and can be deadly and even result in loss of limbs. The AAP continues to recommend this vaccine for all 9 to 11-year-olds with a booster dose. I recall a patient dying in Breckinridge County in the 1990s before the vaccine was available. I flew in the helicopter with a patient with meningococcemia from our hospital because of fear of him dying on the way to Louisville. Fortunately, he survived. This vaccine prevents these severe and preventable infections.

If you have questions about the change in vaccine recommendations, please ask your pediatrician or the health department for advice. We at the health department, in conjunction with the AAP, still strongly support the original vaccine recommendations. All the vaccines are available and covered by your health insurance and by Medicaid. For a complete discussion of all the vaccines, go to the AAP website, healthychildren.org.

Joe M Lee MD, FAAP, Medical Director, Grayson County Health Department