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What do the CDC childhood vaccine schedule changes mean for Iowa families?
The American Academy of Pediatrics still recommends children get vaccinated for diseases like influenza and hepatitis B, which can harm children
Jan. 9, 2026 5:42 pm
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On Monday, officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced six routine childhood vaccinations are no longer recommended for all children. The American Academy of Pediatrics and some state health departments pushed back, saying the change creates a public health risk.
Even though the CDC said the shots for influenza, COVID-19, Hepatitis A and B, meningitis and rotavirus still will be available for those who want them, parents will need to engage in “shared clinical decision making” to get one for their child.
The Gazette spoke with three Iowa medical professionals to unpack what these changes mean and what families should do to understand what’s best for them.
Why did the CDC change its childhood vaccine schedule?
It’s not clear why the CDC changed its childhood vaccine schedule. The decision was made without new data or input from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the scientific committee that votes on vaccine recommendations.
Nathan Boonstra, a Des Moines pediatrician and chair of the Iowa Chapter of the American Association of Pediatrics’ immunization committee, said these changes are usually made more slowly.
“The real issue here is … not necessarily the decision itself being as concerning, but the fact that it was made without the usual scientific rigorous process to look at the data,” Boonstra said.
Pediatrician Susan Ireland at Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa Pediatrics in Cedar Rapids said she was “shocked and concerned” when she heard the news.
“I think it undermines trust in vaccines and is going to increase new parents and people who are unsure where to look for guidance,” Ireland said.
Dustin Arnold, chief medical officer at UnityPoint Health — St. Luke’s, had a different reaction.
“They're really not saying, no, don't take these vaccines, but they're saying have that conversation with your clinician,” Arnold said. “And I think that’s the way it should be.”
What is shared clinical decision making for vaccines?
Arnold said shared clinical decision making is the conversation medical providers and patients have to determine whether a vaccine is appropriate for their situation.
“It doesn't feel like a change at all,” Arnold said. “It feels more like an affirmation that it should be a discussion with the patient.”
Boonstra defines shared clinical decision making as both an action and a category. He said the CDC usually designates vaccines for shared clinical decision making if its benefits and risks aren’t clear.
“It basically means that it doesn't have the weight of the CDC recommending it, which means that families just may be less likely to think that it's an important vaccine,” Boonstra said. “And every vaccine that's been on the schedule is an important vaccine.”
Why are these vaccines important for children?
Ireland said the general public might not be familiar with some of the diseases these vaccinations are for, but the problems they prevent are still significant.
- Thousands of children are hospitalized for the flu each year. According to the American Association of Pediatrics, the 2024-2025 flu season was the deadliest for children since 2004 with 289 reported deaths.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics says children age 0 to 23 months are at “high risk for severe COVID-19,” increasing their chances of going to the emergency room.
- Research shows that children younger than 1 year who are exposed to hepatitis B have a 90 percent chance of developing chronic liver disease and a 25 percent chance of premature death.
- Meningitis, inflammation in the brain and spinal cord, is relatively rare but can be fatal within 24 to 36 hours. It disproportionately affects infants and young adults.
Right now, Iowa still requires children at least 4 years old be vaccinated for hepatitis B and meningitis to enroll in school. It is unclear whether the state will update its guidelines to reflect the CDC.
Childhood vaccination rates for those diseases are consistently high across the state, but those for influenza and COVID-19 have fallen sharply in recent months.
Will these vaccines still be available?
Both the CDC and the trade association that represents insurance companies say the previously recommended vaccines will be covered by federal and private insurance until the end of the year.
“That's great because it means people that do want these vaccinations hopefully will still be able to continue to get them, but it undermines the universal vaccine process,” Ireland said. “When rates of vaccines fall, we know we're going to see an increase in those illnesses.”
Ireland said she encourages parents to use the American Academy of Pediatrics’ immunization schedule, which reflects the CDC’s schedule before the recent changes.
Parents can talk to their child’s primary care provider, a pharmacist, or nurse to help decide which shots their kid needs.
“I think time is going to tell how much that actually impacts what parents choose to do for their children,” Ireland said. “I am hoping people come away with the message that pediatricians do not think this is the best way to take care of children.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics’ 2025 immunization schedule can be found at bit.ly/AAPSchedule.
Comments: fern.alling@thegazette.com
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