Vaccination recalls trigger anxiety as states struggle forward

Recent changes to the recommended childhood vaccination schedule have raised concerns among community members who fear that cuts could increase public health risks if vaccination rates decline.

Heather Schilling, a science teacher at West, believes the changes were motivated in part by a push for personal choice. She said the goal was to give families more control over healthcare decisions.

“I think they wanted to give back some autonomy to Americans,” she said. “They wanted Americans to be able to make their own decisions and not have these mandates. I think the other reason is that they don’t see them as necessary.”

Dr. Maria Graf, an associate professor of nursing and health professions at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, explained the federal reasoning behind the changes. She said the adjustments were made after a review of the national vaccination schedule.

“The current U.S. administration made some changes after reviewing the federal vaccination schedule,” she said. “On Jan. 5, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Acting Director Jim O’Neill announced that, to better align with other developed countries, some vaccines are now mainly recommended for higher-risk groups or decided on a case-by-case basis between patients and health practitioners, rather than for the general population.”

Sara Dobish, a science teacher, understands the scope of the policy shift. She said the number of recommended childhood vaccines was significantly reduced.

“The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC reduced the childhood vaccine schedule from 17 to 11,” she said. “The initiative was led by HHS director Robert F. Kennedy Jr.”

Educators expressed concern about how the changes could affect public health. They pointed to early signs of increased disease spread.

“The potential for disease outbreaks is probably the biggest concern,” Schilling said. “We’re seeing that right now with measles. Several outbreaks are happening, and most are among people who are not vaccinated.”

Graf said it is too early to fully predict the long-term effects of the changes. She warned, however, that lower vaccination rates could increase disease risk over time.

“I think it is too soon to know what the long-term effects will be,” she said. “If fewer people get certain vaccines, future generations could face a higher risk of preventable diseases returning or spreading more easily. The overall impact will depend on how vaccination rates change over time.”

Dobish warned that fewer vaccinations could lead to more childhood illnesses. She said some diseases could become more common if immunization declines.

“Childhood diseases such as RSV, rotavirus, and hepatitis will increase in occurrence if children are no longer vaccinated,” she said.

Schilling emphasized that the most vulnerable populations could be affected first. She said people who cannot be vaccinated depend on community protection.

“These diseases could become problematic again and affect the very young or the very old,” she said. “There are people in our population with autoimmune diseases or cancer who can’t be vaccinated.”

Dr. Graf echoed these concerns and explained the broader impact on communities. She said lower vaccination rates make it easier for diseases to spread.

“When fewer people get vaccinated, preventable diseases can spread more easily,” she said. “Lower vaccination rates increase the risk of outbreaks and put vulnerable people, such as infants, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems, at greater risk.”

Dobish added that declining vaccination rates could weaken herd immunity. She said this could lead to more serious outcomes for children.

“Increases in childhood illness, higher childhood mortality from disease, and the loss of herd immunity in our populations,” she said.

Schilling also noted that disease outbreaks could strain the healthcare system. She said hospitals and healthcare workers would face added pressure.

“If we do have outbreaks, that puts increased strain on hospitals,” she said. “We remember COVID, when healthcare workers were overworked and communities were overwhelmed.”

Schilling also explained how vaccine recommendations are developed. She said the process involves federal health agencies and healthcare providers.

“They’re recommended by the CDC and then passed on to physicians,” she said. “The recommendations are sent to healthcare organizations.”

Dr. Graf clarified the roles of federal and state governments. She said states ultimately decide which vaccines are required.

“The CDC usually makes vaccine recommendations at the federal level, based on expert committee advice,” she said. “However, each state decides which vaccines are required, such as those for school entry.”

Dobish emphasized that recommendations are not mandates. She said families still have the option to vaccinate.

“HHS and the CDC decide on the recommended schedule,” she said. “There are no governmental requirements, and just because a vaccine isn’t recommended doesn’t mean parents can’t choose to vaccinate.”

Dr. Graf said that recommendations can be updated as new information becomes available. She said public health data guides these decisions.

“Experts regularly review and update vaccine recommendations,” she said. “If disease rates rise or new information becomes available, vaccines may be added back to the routine schedule.”

Dr. Graf encouraged families to seek reliable medical guidance.

“Finding a healthcare provider you trust and having open, informed discussions can help families make the best decisions,” she said.

by Jazbia Farooq

Published February 9, 2026

Oshkosh West Index Volume 122 Issue IV