The United States is reducing the number of vaccines recommended for children

The US Department of Health, headed by Robert Kennedy Jr., who is known for his skepticism about vaccines, announced that it had reduced the number of vaccines recommended for children, based on a new schedule that President Donald Trump described as “more logical” than the previous one, but it was widely criticized by specialists.

Six vaccines, previously recommended for all American children, are now limited to children most at risk.

They include influenza vaccines, hepatitis A and B, meningococcal (causing meningitis), and the rotavirus vaccine, which causes gastroenteritis. The Covid-19 vaccine was removed from the list a few months ago.

Trump had asked the Minister of Health to review the US vaccination policy in light of the practices of other developed countries, especially Denmark, which the US government cited as an example.

“After a comprehensive review of knowledge, we are aligning the U.S. childhood vaccination schedule with international consensus,” Robert Kennedy Jr. said in a statement.

Trump wrote on his “Truth Social” platform: “We are adopting a more logical schedule,” adding: “Parents can still choose to vaccinate their children with all vaccines if they wish, and health insurance will continue to cover them.” A number of specialists expressed their concern about this decision.

Sean O’Leary, a specialist in infectious diseases and pediatrics, said: “The American schedule of childhood vaccines is one of the most thoroughly researched tools to protect children from dangerous diseases, which can sometimes be fatal.”

He added: “It is crucial that any decision on this issue be based on scientific evidence and not on comparisons that do not take into account the significant differences between countries and health systems.”