Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. directed Jan. 5 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to revise the U.S. child and adolescent immunization schedule, reducing the number of universally recommended vaccines from 17 to 11 and shifting several others to high-risk or shared decision-making categories.
Under the updated schedule, vaccines recommended for all children include protection against diseases such as measles, polio, pertussis, pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus and chickenpox. Other vaccines including influenza, Covid-19, hepatitis A and B, RSV and meningococcal disease, will now be recommended only for certain high-risk populations or based on discussions between families and their healthcare providers. Federal officials stated the changes will not affect insurance coverage and vaccines currently recommended by CDC will remain covered.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) affirms the standing recommendation released Dec. 18, 2025, encouraging providers to continue following the evidence-based childhood immunization schedules developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians. MDHHS reiterated this guidance Jan. 6, emphasizing its commitment to science-based recommendations to protect Michigan families.
Effective Jan. 1, Michigan Medicaid begun covering stand-alone vaccine counseling visits, allowing providers to be reimbursed for vaccine discussions even when no vaccine is given.
The MHA is supporting efforts to form a statewide immunization coalition aimed at improving coordination, increasing vaccine access and addressing declining childhood vaccination rates. While the association does not provide clinical guidance, the MHA continues to support hospitals in efforts to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases and encourage informed conversations between providers and patients.
Members with questions about vaccine may contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA.