The U.S. government is making changes to childhood vaccinations. Federal health officials have dropped several vaccines from the list that’s broadly recommended for all kids. Will Humble with the Arizona Public Health Association is not worried.
"There are going to be plenty of pundits that are out there this week that are going to say the sky is falling because of this recommendation. I just don't see it. Could have been a lot worse," he said.
The updated vaccine schedule took effect immediately and no longer recommends shots for flu, RSV, rotavirus, hepatitis A and B, and some forms of meningitis.
Protections against those diseases are now only recommended for children at high risk of infection.
Despite the changes, Humble says it’s unlikely these updates will change how doctors approach vaccinations.
"Pediatricians are not going to listen to Mr. Kennedy. Honestly, they're going to listen to the American Academy and clinical practice guidelines," he said.
And if there is an outbreak, "it will probably be at least a year or two from now and probably most likely related to hepatitis A because there could be fewer parents who don't vaccinate their kids for hepatitis A," Humble said.
It’s a highly contagious liver infection that can spread quickly in groups of small children who are not yet potty-trained and can’t wash their own hands well.
-
Will Humble with the Arizona Public Health Association says the order may be an effort to help push Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s changes in vaccine schedules that have been blocked in courts.
-
Measles continues to spread in Arizona and as kids are heading back to school, most classrooms across the state have immunization rates below the level recommended to prevent an outbreak.
-
Pinal and Maricopa counties confirmed new cases this week. And Yavapai County on Wednesday confirmed its first measles case of 2026.
-
There were more than 2,000 confirmed cases of measles in the U.S. as of last week. That’s according to numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is only a couple hundred cases away from the total from all of last year.
-
Housing has been a big issue of discussion — and debate — at the Arizona Capitol over the past few years. And lawmakers are expected to consider a proposal this week that’s been front and center in many of those conversations.