The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Monday said it was revising its childhood immunization schedule to recommend four fewer vaccines − but what does that mean for parents and their children 18 and younger?
According to the HHS announcement, the four vaccines include those for rotavirus, influenza, meningococcal disease and hepatitis A, which have now been moved to shared decision-making between parents and healthcare providers − not an outright recommendation.
Here's what we know:
Previously, the rotavirus vaccine, which protects against contagious gastrointestinal infections that cause diarrhea among infants and young children, was recommended for children beginning at 2 months old for either a two-dose or three-dose series.
For influenza, or flu, vaccines were generally recommended for children starting at 6 months. The United States is currently in the midst of a flu surge, with a high number of cases.
