The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is reportedly planning a significant overhaul of the recommended childhood vaccination schedule, potentially reducing the number of shots children receive.
According to an anonymous source familiar with the matter, the unfinalized plan could align closely with or even mirror Denmark’s current vaccine recommendations for children. The proposal has not yet been finalized and may undergo further adjustments.
HHS initially intended to announce the changes this Friday but postponed them until 2026 to avoid conflicting with White House initiatives targeting drug cost reductions through “Most Favored Nation” pricing. An HHS spokesperson declined to comment, directing inquiries to a prior statement that the agency had delayed a “children’s health announcement” until next year.
The planned adjustments follow weeks of directives from President Donald Trump, who recently ordered officials to review the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule and consider recommending fewer vaccinations. In a Truth Social post earlier this month, Trump criticized the current schedule as “ridiculous,” stating he had signed a presidential memorandum directing HHS to “FAST TRACK” an international comparison of vaccination practices.
Notably, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), hand-selected by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., recently voted 8-3 to end the blanket recommendation that all newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth. Instead, the committee now advises consultation with a healthcare provider and individual decision-making.
Currently, Denmark does not recommend vaccinations against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for children, while the U.S. does. RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalizations in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The U.S. population exceeds 340 million compared with Denmark’s just over 6 million. Additionally, Denmark faces a different mix of infectious disease risks and currently recommends vaccines for only 10 diseases associated with serious illness or death.
President Trump has claimed the U.S. childhood vaccination schedule requires 72 doses for otherwise healthy infants — though he has not provided a clear basis for this number. The United States currently recommends immunizations against 17 diseases, more than many other countries, reflecting higher disease prevalence in certain areas.