R.F.K. Jr. likely to swap U.S. childhood vaccine schedule for Denmark’s

Monday, December 22, 2025 -Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly preparing to overhaul the U.S. childhood vaccination schedule by aligning it more closely with the model used in Denmark, a move expected to be announced in early 2026. 

The proposed shift would recommend fewer routine vaccines than current U.S. guidelines, which cover a broader array of diseases, reflecting a push to adopt what officials describe as “best practices from peer, developed countries.” This potential change could significantly reshape how and when children in the United States are immunized.

The Denmark-inspired approach under consideration would reduce the number of vaccines recommended for children by omitting or deferring certain immunizations that Denmark does not include in its routine schedule, such as those for influenza, rotavirus, chickenpox, and hepatitis A, among others. 

Denmark’s model is designed for its specific population, healthcare infrastructure, and disease risk profile, which differ markedly from those in the United States. Experts caution that adopting another country’s schedule without adjusting for U.S. conditions could lead to confusion among parents, reduced immunization rates, and a higher risk of outbreaks of preventable diseases.

The discussion over adopting a Denmark-style schedule has ignited sharp debate among health professionals and policymakers. Critics argue that the current U.S. vaccine schedule has been developed over decades based on extensive scientific evidence to protect children against serious illnesses, warning that scaling back recommendations risks undermining public health gains and could erode public confidence in immunizations. 

Supporters of the review say it might reduce the number of shots children receive and potentially increase parental trust, but stress that any changes should be grounded in robust data and careful evaluation rather than political directive.