HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is considering aligning the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule with Denmark’s, which omits shots for influenza, rotavirus, and hepatitis.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
WASHINGTON — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is weighing a major overhaul of the U.S. childhood vaccination schedule, potentially adopting Denmark’s model, which recommends fewer immunizations, according to a New York Times report.
The proposed shift, expected to be announced in early 2026, follows a directive from President Donald Trump to align U.S. vaccine policies with “best practices from peer, developed countries” like Denmark, Germany, and Japan.
A Radical Departure from U.S. Norms
The current U.S. schedule, overseen by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), vaccinates children against 17 diseases. Denmark’s program excludes routine shots for:
- Influenza
- Rotavirus
- Chickenpox
- Hepatitis A and B
- Meningitis
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Kennedy reshaped ACIP earlier this year, replacing all 17 voting members with a smaller panel—many of whom question vaccine safety. The new committee has already reversed flu shot guidance and ended routine hepatitis B vaccination at birth, citing disputed safety concerns.
Public Health Warnings
Some ‘experts’ allege the change could:
- Weaken vaccine access.
- Disrupt insurance coverage.
- Fuel further declines in public confidence.
- Trigger outbreaks of preventable diseases.
Measles and whooping cough have already resurged in several states. The U.S. has recorded nearly 2,000 measles cases across 49 outbreaks in 2025—the highest in decades—putting the nation’s measles elimination status at risk.
State Pushback Expected
States set school vaccine requirements, and many plan to keep following the old ACIP schedule. However, conflicting guidance could further erode public trust.
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