WASHINGTON, DC—The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) issued the following statement in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reducing the number of vaccines from the recommended immunization schedule:

“This decision will create confusion among families, hurt the public health, and put children at risk for preventable illness and death. The recommendations on the vaccine schedule for children may influence insurance company decisions whether to provide coverage for these medicines and impact the supply chain, which will lead to fewer children being vaccinated.

It is equally alarming that this decision was made without the input of independent experts who rely on evidence to make vaccine recommendations. The nation relies on the CDC to provide scientifically based recommendations, which must be made through an open and transparent process.

These unjustifiable changes to the vaccination schedule have real consequences that will harm children from preventable illnesses and create unnecessary public health risks for millions of people.”

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