ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Health is aligning its immunization guidance with professional medical association recommendations, rather than the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The agency made the announcement Thursday, Jan. 8, three days after the CDC overhauled the childhood immunization schedule, reducing the number of routinely recommended vaccines.
The CDC used to recommend vaccination against 17 infectious diseases. The new guidance drops that number to 11, recommending the remainder of the shots only to high-risk groups or after consulting with a health care provider.
Changes to the federal immunization schedule typically follow an intensive scientific review by an advisory committee, which did not happen in this case.
"This change at the federal level does not reflect the best available science. Medical association immunization schedules are evidence-based, reflect current clinical practice and are developed through established professional review processes,” stated Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Brooke Cunningham in a news release.
“Aligning our recommendations with professional medical associations helps provide clarity and stability for families and providers by using a proven set of recommendations that doctors, and other clinicians, already know and trust.”
A news release from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said the move comes after a review of 20 other developed countries' vaccine recommendations, following a directive from President Donald Trump.
“After reviewing the evidence, I signed a decision memorandum accepting the assessment’s recommendations,” Acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill stated in a news release. “The data support a more focused schedule that protects children from the most serious infectious diseases while improving clarity, adherence, and public confidence.”
Minnesota previously moved away from CDC guidance for the COVID-19 and hepatitis B vaccines.
While the state health department's immunization schedule will no longer align with the CDC, the guidance itself remains the same. Minnesota will continue to recommend children routinely receive vaccines to protect from hepatitis, bacterial meningitis, rotavirus and the flu, COVID-19 and RSV.
The recommendations for children birth through age 18 align with the American Academy of Pediatrics, for adults 19 and older with the American Academy of Family Physicians and for pregnant individuals, with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Leaders of the associations' Minnesota chapters voiced support for the state’s move in the health department's news release, as did the leader of the Minnesota Medical Association.
"The Minnesota Medical Association is very concerned about how the CDC's changes will add unnecessary confusion and uncertainty around vaccines," stated President Dr. Lisa Mattson.
"We urge Minnesota parents and families to talk directly with their physicians about the critical role that childhood vaccines play in preventing serious disease and death. By vaccinating your child, you are not only protecting your child’s health, but also the health of their classmates, friends and community."
