States Reject CDC Vaccine Guidance, Chart Own Paths

0:00From the Daily News Now Network, this is Anchorage News Today. 29 states, plus the District of Columbia, are now rejecting at least some federal vaccine guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This comes as the agency has scaled back its emphasis on childhood vaccinations under U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Key changes include dropping recommended routine childhood shots from 13 to just 7, starting this January. These shifts began last May, leading states to chart their own pass by March 10th. A clear partisan split has emerged, with every state led by a Democratic governor pushing back against the federal advice. While many Republican-led states have stuck closer to it, reactions vary widely across the country. In Virginia, the new Democratic Governor announced in February they would ignore CDC guidelines, reversing course from the prior Republican leader. Florida State Senate passed a bill last Sunday to make it simpler for parents to skip vaccines,

1:02though House leaders say no. Meanwhile, Louisiana has stopped promoting shots or running clinics. 15 Democratic-led states filed a lawsuit in federal court back in February, demanding a reversal of the new rules with a preliminary hearing set. For May 29, groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics have stuck to the old schedule for 2026, backed by 12 medical organizations. States are also teaming up outside federal channels. The Northeast Public Health Collaborative, including places like New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, follows pediatric guidelines instead. Plus, 14 mostly Democratic governors formed an alliance to share health info, calling the federal changes confusing for families trying to. Protect kids from serious diseases. Support for this DNN episode comes from our sponsor. Your favorite podcasts, music, or sleep sounds coming from your pillow. No earbuds, no distractions, just listen and relax. S-O-L-L-I, solelypillow.com