Making informed decisions about your child’s health begins with clear, evidence-based information. Childhood vaccines have a long track record of safety and effectiveness. They are a cornerstone of pediatric care, protecting children from serious and potentially life-threatening diseases.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced a rollback in the number of vaccines recommended for children, removing recommendations for vaccines against certain diseases, including flu, RSV, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis and more.
While this is at the federal level, the New York State Department of Health and American Academy of Pediatrics recently stated that it’s maintaining its existing guidance and that there will be no changes to immunization requirements or recommendations in the state.
While national vaccine recommendations are periodically updated, the underlying science behind vaccines — and their role in keeping children healthy — remains strong.
As pediatricians, our guidance is informed not only by public health data and the many, many research studies that have been performed, but also by decades of clinical experience caring for children and families.
This article reviews the childhood vaccines children receive, when they are typically recommended and why they are essential for protecting children’s health. It also provides context around recent updates to national guidance, helping parents make informed decisions grounded in medical evidence.
What is the CDC Vaccine Schedule?
The childhood vaccine schedule is a nationally recognized framework designed to protect children from serious, preventable diseases. Developed by the CDC in collaboration with medical and public health experts, the schedule outlines when vaccines are typically recommended throughout infancy, childhood and adolescence.
The timing of vaccines is based on when children are most vulnerable to infection and when immunization provides the strongest protection. The schedule is reviewed annually to reflect emerging scientific data, ongoing safety monitoring and changes in disease patterns, with the goal of reducing illness, complications and the spread of preventable diseases.
What Are the Recent Changes to the CDC Vaccine Schedule for Children?
In January 2026, the CDC finalized updates to how vaccines are categorized within the U.S. childhood immunization schedule. Under the revised framework, vaccines are grouped into three categories:
- Vaccines recommended for all children
- Vaccines recommended for certain high-risk groups
- Vaccines considered through shared clinical decision-making between families and healthcare providers
The CDC says these changes focus on how recommendations are organized, not on vaccine safety. All vaccines on the schedule continue to be evaluated using the same rigorous research, testing and ongoing safety monitoring.
The new structure may raise questions for some families, making conversations with a pediatrician an important part of understanding which vaccines are recommended for each child.
Why Do Childhood Vaccines Matter So Early in Life?
Early vaccination is crucial because babies’ immune systems are still developing, making them more susceptible to serious infections. Vaccines help their bodies build defenses against diseases before exposure occurs.
Many diseases that are now rare in the United States, such as measles and polio, used to cause widespread illness but have been dramatically reduced due to vaccination. When these infections do occur, infants and young children are more likely to have severe complications. Maintaining high vaccination rates keeps these illnesses from returning.
Immunizing your child not only protects them but also helps shield newborns, medically vulnerable individuals and the entire community by preventing the spread of contagious diseases.
Are Childhood Vaccines Safe?
Yes, childhood vaccines are safe. They undergo extensive testing and continuous safety monitoring by organizations like the CDC and U.S. Food and Drug Administration before being approved for use in children.
Serious reactions are extremely rare, and the risks of vaccines are much lower than the risks of the diseases they prevent. Staying on schedule with well-child visits ensures timely and effective protection.
What Side Effects Should Parents Expect from Vaccines?
Most vaccine side effects are mild and temporary, such as soreness at the injection site, low fever or increased fussiness — indicating the immune system is building protection. Serious side effects, like high fever, unusual rashes, breathing difficulties or facial swelling, are very rare but should be reported to your pediatrician immediately.
What Vaccines Do Newborns Receive — and Why?
Newborns are protected from their very first day with two important injections: the Hepatitis B vaccine and a vitamin K shot.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
The Hepatitis B vaccine is one of several changes that the CDC has made to the vaccine schedule. Typically, it is given within the first 24 hours of life to protect newborns from a virus that can cause serious, lifelong liver disease if contracted at birth.
In December 2025, the CDC introduced an individual-based decision-making approach for infants whose mothers have tested negative for hepatitis B, allowing parents and healthcare providers to decide together whether to start the vaccine at birth or delay until at least two months of age.
The birth dose is still strongly recommended for babies at higher risk, and for infants whose mothers are positive or whose status is unknown, the initial birth dose remains unchanged.
However, advocates including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Association of Family Physicians continue to recommend that children receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, emphasizing that all the recommended vaccines are important for keeping kids healthy and preventing outbreaks of diseases.
Because hepatitis B can be passed from mother to baby at birth, and many people who carry the virus don’t know they have it, early vaccination is the best way to prevent serious illness. The virus can also be spread through contact with infected blood or everyday items, like toothbrushes or nail clippers. Since introducing the birth dose, hepatitis B infections in infants have dropped by 95 percent.
Parents are encouraged to have open conversations with their pediatricians about the best plan for their child.
Vitamin K shot
The vitamin K shot, while not a vaccine, is essential to prevent dangerous internal bleeding in newborns. Babies naturally have low levels of vitamin K, which is required for blood clotting. This one-time shot has a proven track record of safety and effectiveness.
What Is the MMR Vaccine and When Is It Given?
The MMR vaccine protects children from three serious illnesses: measles, mumps and rubella.
- Measles can lead to complications such as pneumonia and brain swelling.
- Mumps can cause issues like infertility, deafness or meningitis.
- Rubella is especially dangerous during pregnancy, as it can cause severe birth defects.
The recommended schedule is for children to receive their first MMR dose at 12 to 15 months and a second dose at four to six years, usually before starting school. This ensures strong, long-term immunity.
Recently this vaccine was combined with a fourth protection: the varicella (or chickenpox) vaccine, to be given in one dose. However, in September 2025, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) updated its recommendation for the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine to the following:
- For children aged 12 months to 3 years, the committee now advises administering separate MMR and varicella vaccines for the first dose, rather than the combination MMRV vaccine, due to a higher risk of febrile seizures and other side effects like fever and rashes associated with the combined vaccine.
- The MMRV vaccine remains an option for the second dose in children aged 4 and older.
Autism and the MMR Vaccine
Over the years, some parents have expressed concerns about a possible link between the MMR vaccine and autism. This idea originated from a 1998 study that has since been thoroughly discredited and retracted due to serious flaws in its methods. Unfortunately, misinformation about vaccines continues to circulate, causing unnecessary worry for some families.
Extensive research involving hundreds of thousands of children has consistently shown no connection between the MMR vaccine and autism. Leading health organizations, including the CDC, World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics, affirm the safety of the MMR vaccine.
It’s important for parents to rely on credible, science-backed information when making decisions about their child’s health.
How Can Babies Be Protected From RSV?
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a leading cause of infant hospitalization in the U.S. It poses the greatest danger to babies under one year old, with symptoms that can include severe respiratory distress, pneumonia and bronchiolitis.
Prevention options now include:
- A vaccine during pregnancy that provides protective antibodies to the newborn, as well as
- A monoclonal antibody injection that can be given to infants younger than eight months or to those with certain health risks.
The monoclonal antibody for babies has led to a 90 percent decrease in RSV-associated hospital admissions and 80 percent decrease in RSV-associated pediatric ICU admissions.
Parents are encouraged to consult their pediatrician to determine the most appropriate protection based on their baby’s age, medical history and the time of year.
Vaccines: A Trusted Way to Protect Your Child
Making decisions about your child’s health can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone in this journey. Vaccines are one of the most effective ways to protect your child from serious illnesses, backed by decades of research and the expertise of healthcare professionals.
If you have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to talk to your pediatrician. Open conversations and reliable information can help you feel confident in making choices that safeguard your child’s health and contribute to a healthier community for everyone.
