University of Iowa students and public health experts express concern over recent changes by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that lower the number of recommended vaccines for children.
On January 5, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the CDC implemented new childhood vaccine schedule recommendations, reducing the number of vaccines advised for children from 17 to 11. According to the updated guidelines, all children should be vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (whooping cough), Haemophilus influenzae type b, pneumococcal conjugate, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, human papillomavirus (HPV), and varicella (chickenpox).
Notably, vaccines such as influenza, hepatitis A, and rotavirus are no longer broadly recommended. Additionally, changes have been made to the timing and dosage of some vaccines. For example, the HPV vaccine is now recommended as a single dose, rather than the two doses previously advised.
**University of Iowa Community Voices Concerns**
Rose Kelly, a third-year student at the University of Iowa, described the changes as “dangerous for young children.” She emphasized the importance of childhood vaccines, especially given that children’s immune systems are still developing.
“The childhood vaccines are super important because kids’ immune systems aren’t very strong, and so it’s important that they are getting these vaccines,” Kelly said.
Kelly also shared her personal perspective, highlighting her own vaccination experience. “As someone who got all of the vaccines, I’m super grateful that I have them. I’m very pro-vaccines, and I think it’s really important to get vaccinations.”
**Public Health Experts Alarmed**
Public health experts at the University of Iowa also expressed alarm at the CDC’s changes. They claim the revisions stray significantly from the evidence-based process that has long guided immunization policies.
According to the CDC, public trust in health authorities has declined sharply—from 72 percent in 2020 to 40 percent in 2024. Furthermore, vaccination rates among kindergarteners dropped from 94.9 percent to 92.1 percent between 2020 and 2025.
Natoshia Askelson, a professor at the College of Public Health at the University of Iowa, voiced concerns about the adequacy of testing behind the new recommendations.
“A new vaccine would go through extensive clinical trials with thousands of adults or kids, and they make sure that it was safe and that it worked right,” Askelson explained.
She noted that such rigorous testing and approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) typically precede CDC recommendations. These recommendations are then reviewed by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a federal advisory committee composed of medical and public health experts. The ACIP helps guide the CDC on immunization schedules published annually for the American public.
Askelson also raised worries about lowering vaccine doses. “They have not looked at the evidence to understand whether or not going from two doses to one dose makes the vaccine less effective,” she said. “There is some concern that if you only have one dose, you might not be as protected.”
**Federal Government’s Position**
The federal government, according to a CDC press release, states that the updated recommendations are based on the immunization practices of other developed countries and how those countries structure their schedules.
Askelson highlighted that prior to these changes, the U.S. system for recommending vaccines was considered a gold standard internationally.
Since these are recommendations rather than mandates, medical providers retain the option to administer vaccines no longer broadly recommended under the new schedule.
Major professional organizations—including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association—have publicly affirmed that they will continue to follow the previous vaccine schedule.
**Student Concerns About Future Impact**
Holden Dukes, a first-year student at the University of Iowa, also expressed apprehension about the changes.
“I think this is a misinformed change since this will only put more kids at risk for illnesses that we have vaccines for,” Dukes said. “This is only going to cause an increase in preventable diseases that often have lifelong consequences.”
Dukes is particularly worried about the long-term effects of the revision. “I understand their reasoning behind this choice, but I think it will cause more harm than good,” he added.
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As debates continue over the updated vaccine recommendations, parents, students, and health professionals alike are weighing the potential risks and benefits amid evolving public health policies.
https://dailyiowan.com/2026/02/03/ui-community-reacts-to-change-in-vaccination-recommendations/
