Why did the CDC reduce the number of child vaccines?

The CDC cited alignment with guidelines from other developed nations offering fewer childhood vaccines, alongside improved testing for specific diseases like Hepatitis B.

Will Canada change its vaccine schedule because of the CDC?

Canadian experts believe Canada will not mirror the U.S. changes, as NACI and provincial authorities make independent, region-specific decisions.

What is the role of NACI in Canada's vaccine recommendations?

NACI makes vaccine recommendations for Canada, but provincial and territorial health authorities ultimately decide whether to implement them based on local factors.

Home / Health / Canada Won't Mimic US Vaccine Cuts, Experts Say

Canada Won't Mimic US Vaccine Cuts, Experts Say

18 Jan

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Summary

US reduced universal child vaccines from 17 to 11.
Canadian experts doubt similar changes will occur.
Canada's NACI and provinces make independent decisions.

In early January 2026, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced revisions to its recommended child and adolescent vaccine schedule. This update reduces the number of universally recommended immunizations from 17 to 11. Despite this change, infectious disease experts in Canada do not expect their country to follow suit, citing a lack of new evidence specific to Canadian populations.

Canadian public health organizations, like the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), consider regional needs, demographics, budget constraints, and available resources when formulating recommendations. Provincial and territorial health authorities then decide whether to adopt these recommendations, taking their own budgets and delivery capabilities into account. This decentralized approach allows for tailored public health responses, as seen with Nova Scotia's Men-B vaccine offering during a 2022 meningitis outbreak.