About this episode
John Schoen, Senior Clinical Manager of Evidence-Based Medicine and Drug Information in Vizient's Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence and Vizient's vaccine subject matter expert, joins host Stacy Lauderdale to discuss key updates to the CDC's childhood Immunization schedule and what they mean for practice.
Guest speaker:?
John Schoen, PharmD, BCPS?
Senior Clinical Manager of Evidence-Based Medicine and Drug Information??
Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence?
Host:?
Stacy Lauderdale, PharmD, BCPS?
Associate Vice President
Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence?
Verified Rx Host
00:00 — Introduction
Announcer welcomes listeners to Verified Rx, produced by the Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence.
00:14 — Episode Overview
Host Stacy Lauderdale introduces the topic:
updates to the CDC’s U.S. Childhood Immunization Schedule, revised January 20, 2026.
Goal of the episode: explain what changed, what didn’t, and what it means in practice for providers, pharmacists, and families.
Guest: John Schoen, Senior Clinical Manager of Evidence-Based Medicine and Drug Information at Vizient and vaccine subject matter expert.
01:16 — What Changed in the CDC Immunization Schedule
CDC reorganized the schedule into three recommendation categories.
Vaccines were reclassified, not removed.
Number of diseases covered under “routine” recommendations decreased from 17 to 11 due to recategorization.
01:50 — Stated Rationale Behind the Changes
Rationale provided in executive summary of scientific assessment.
The supporting scientific assessment is available online and referenced for transparency (link in resources below).
03:19 — Were Any Vaccines Removed?
No vaccines were removed from the CDC schedule.
Some vaccines were shifted into different recommendation categories.
03:40 — Category 1: Routine Childhood Vaccinations
Vaccines still routinely recommended for all children include:
MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
Polio
Tdap / DTaP
Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type B)
Pneumococcal
HPV
Varicella (chickenpox)
04:27 — Category 2: Vaccines for High-Risk Populations
Vaccines recommended for children who meet specific high-risk criteria:
RSV monoclonal antibodies (mAb)
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Quadrivalent meningococcal
Meningococcal group B
Dengue
05:19 — What Changed vs. Stayed the Same
Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and quadrivalent meningococcal moved from routine to high-risk
RSV mAb recommendations are effectively u
