On December 7, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a memorandum directing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to evaluate the childhood vaccine schedules of other developed nations. The memorandum notes that countries such as Denmark, Japan, and Germany recommend fewer vaccines for children compared to the United States, which currently advises vaccinations for 18 diseases, including COVID-19, for individuals under 18 years of age.

The memo describes the U.S. vaccine schedule as a "high outlier" in comparison to its peers, with Germany recommending 15 vaccines, Japan 14, and Denmark 10. This disparity has prompted the call for a review to ensure that American children receive the most effective and scientifically supported medical guidance available globally.

The directive tasks HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and acting CDC Director Jim O’Neil with assessing best practices from peer nations regarding core childhood vaccinations. Should these practices be found superior to current U.S. recommendations, the memorandum instructs them to update the U.S. vaccine schedule accordingly, while maintaining access to existing vaccines.

Additionally, Trump expressed support for a federal advisory committee's decision to discontinue the recommendation for the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns, arguing that most infants are at low risk for the disease, which is primarily transmitted through sexual contact or contaminated needles. He criticized the current U.S. childhood vaccine schedule, which he claims requires 72 vaccinations for healthy infants, as excessive compared to other countries.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now overseeing significant changes to the vaccine landscape as HHS Secretary, has raised concerns about the necessity of certain vaccinations, including the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns. His leadership has been marked by a controversial shift from environmental law to vaccine skepticism, particularly following his unsuccessful presidential campaign. Kennedy and his supporters advocate for alternative treatments to vaccines, promoting natural remedies over established medical practices. This stance has faced criticism from the medical community, which underscores the importance of peer-reviewed science and the proven efficacy of vaccines in reducing infant mortality and increasing life expectancy.

The current political climate, characterized by diminished regulatory oversight from the Trump administration, has fostered an environment where alternative health narratives can gain traction. This situation raises concerns about public health implications, particularly as misinformation regarding vaccines continues to proliferate, potentially undermining decades of progress in disease prevention.