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CDC Updates Childhood Vaccine Schedule: Here’s What NYC Parents Should Know
At a Glance:
Fewer vaccines are now recommended for all children—routine list drops from 17 to 11
Some vaccines are now for high-risk kids or based on parent-doctor discussion
All CDC-recommended vaccines are covered by insurance
Key tip: work with a pediatrician who fits your family’s needs
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has updated its vaccine recommendations, and it’s quite different from the existing vaccination schedule. The biggest change is that fewer vaccines are now recommended for all children. The routine list went from 17 down to 11.
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The other vaccines aren’t completely gone. Some will be recommended for kids who are at higher risk, and some will also be available to all kids if the parents and pediatrician decide on it together.
Here is a breakdown:
Whooping cough (DTaP)
Hib
Pneumococcal
Polio
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
HPV (just 1 dose now)
Chickenpox (varicella)
New CDC Recommendations for High-Risk Kids
According to the CDC, not every kid needs every shot. Some vaccines are recommended only for children who are considered high-risk, which usually means children who have certain health issues and medical conditions, like a weak immune system, chronic lung or heart problems, or liver disease.
High-risk children can also he kids who have higher exposure, such as kids who spend a lot of time in places where they might catch a disease, like daycare, school, or areas where a virus is more common. Or it can also be kids who could pass a disease to someone more vulnerable, like a baby sibling, a grandparent, or anyone with a weakened immune system.
These vaccines are now recommended for high-risk children:
RSV
Hepatitis A & B
Dengue
Meningococcal ACWY & B
Talk With Your Doctor About These Vaccines
The following vaccines will no longer be recommended across the board for children, but will instead be left up to the parent and doctor to decide.
Rotavirus
COVID-19
Flu
Meningococcal disease
Hepatitis A & B
Vaccines Will Be Covered by Insurance
Since health insurance is a major concern for parents all over, it’s worth noting that all vaccines, recommended or not, will be covered by ACA plans, Medicaid, CHIP, and the Vaccines for Children program, so families won’t have to pay out of pocket.
The key to protecting your children will be to find a pediatrician who aligns with your beliefs and works with you to make decisions that feel right for your family, which is always the best way to go when it comes to your child’s health.
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