The Trump administration has made significant changes to the US pediatric vaccine schedule, recommending 11 routine vaccines instead of the previous 17, and introducing a new categorization system that could make certain shots less accessible.
Under the revised guidelines, several vaccines, including those for Covid-19, flu, and rotavirus, would be subject to "shared clinical decision-making" - essentially, requiring a conversation between a healthcare provider and the parent before administering the shot. This has raised concerns among health experts, who argue that the changes could create new barriers to access for certain communities.
Critics of the decision point out that there was no public process involved in the announcement, and that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which is responsible for recommending vaccines, was purged last year. The move has also sparked comparisons with Denmark, where fewer vaccines are recommended due to its smaller size and more comprehensive healthcare system.
However, experts caution against drawing parallels between Denmark and the US, arguing that Denmark's unique circumstances do not justify adopting similar policies. Instead, they emphasize the need for a rigorous, evidence-based approach to vaccine recommendations, which was lacking in this case.
The changes have sparked widespread concern among public health advocates, who fear that the new guidelines could erode trust in vaccination programs and create confusion among parents and healthcare providers. As one expert noted, "This change is not about restoring faith in public health - it's about creating more obstacles to access."
Under the revised guidelines, several vaccines, including those for Covid-19, flu, and rotavirus, would be subject to "shared clinical decision-making" - essentially, requiring a conversation between a healthcare provider and the parent before administering the shot. This has raised concerns among health experts, who argue that the changes could create new barriers to access for certain communities.
Critics of the decision point out that there was no public process involved in the announcement, and that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which is responsible for recommending vaccines, was purged last year. The move has also sparked comparisons with Denmark, where fewer vaccines are recommended due to its smaller size and more comprehensive healthcare system.
However, experts caution against drawing parallels between Denmark and the US, arguing that Denmark's unique circumstances do not justify adopting similar policies. Instead, they emphasize the need for a rigorous, evidence-based approach to vaccine recommendations, which was lacking in this case.
The changes have sparked widespread concern among public health advocates, who fear that the new guidelines could erode trust in vaccination programs and create confusion among parents and healthcare providers. As one expert noted, "This change is not about restoring faith in public health - it's about creating more obstacles to access."
Need a vaccine chat before getting shot? That sounds like a recipe for disaster 
. No public input = no transparency 
. Denmark might have fewer vaccines, but at least their system is based on evidence 
, not just politics 
. This feels like a step backward 
.
! I mean, I get that they're trying to streamline things, but can't we just stick with what worked before? 11 vaccines is still a lot of shots for kids to deal with. And shared clinical decision-making? That sounds like a fancy way of saying "let's have a convo about whether or not you wanna get vaccinated". What if parents don't know the first thing about vaccines? Or what if they just plain refuse? This could lead to some major health issues down the line 
. I'm all for listening to experts and doing things by the book, but this feels like they're trying to turn vaccination into some kind of game we have to play before we can even try to protect ourselves from serious diseases 
. and what's up with the "shared clinical decision-making" nonsense? it sounds like a fancy way of sayin' "we don't wanna give vaccines no more". healthcare providers already have so much on their plates, do we really need to make it harder for 'em to keep us safe? 
also, why no public process involved in this announcement? that's some shady business right there 
. i just hope our trusty healthcare system can navigate this new landscape without losin' its grip on vaccine efficacy 
it's like they want to make it harder for people to get vaccinated because let's be real some ppl might not wanna deal with that 
plus no public process was involved in this decision which is super sketchy 
we need transparency and accountability, especially when it comes to something as important as kids' health. Let's hope that experts will continue to sound the alarm and advocate for what's best for our little ones 
.
. I'm trying to understand where they're coming from, but it just seems like they're not thinking about the potential consequences on certain communities 
. Our healthcare system is way more complex than theirs. And what really gets me is that this change could make some vaccines less accessible 
. Maybe there are some benefits to this new system that I'm not seeing, but so far, it doesn't feel like the most considerate approach 
.
It’s all about creating more obstacles to access... what’s next? Not vaccinating anyone at all? 
. This is like, totally gonna make things harder for kids from low-income families who already struggle to get to the doctor's office 
. We need to make sure everyone has access to good healthcare and vaccines, not create more barriers 
It's not like they're gonna make sure everyone gets all the shots or anything... and what about all the low-income families who already struggle to get their kids vaccinated on time? 
. No public process? That's just unacceptable. And purging the ACIP last year? What even is that? 
. We need experts who are transparent and accountable, not people who are pushing a personal agenda. And what's with the comparison to Denmark? I'm no expert, but even a cursory glance shows that their system is way more comprehensive than ours 
. We need to make sure our vaccine programs are safe and accessible, not create more barriers. It's time for some real scrutiny of this decision 
At least Denmark has a smaller population and a more comprehensive system in place... I guess that's not exactly comparable, but still, it's a bit alarming to see the ACIP being purged and not having a public process involved in this decision...