WASHINGTON – In an unprecedented move, the United States announced on Monday a reduction in the number of vaccines it typically recommends for children. While certain immunizations, like flu shots, will now be left to families to decide, there is a lack of formal guidance accompanying this change.

Government officials assured that this revision of the federal vaccine schedule will not affect families’ access to vaccines or their insurance coverage. However, medical professionals have criticized the decision, warning that it might lead to a decline in vaccination rates and an increase in preventable diseases.

This change follows a directive from President Donald Trump in December, which tasked the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services with evaluating how other nations recommend vaccines. The goal was to potentially adjust the U.S. schedule to better align with international standards.