US Vaccine Recommendations Shifted to Mirror Denmark's, but Forget the Social Safety Net
In a move that has left many health experts and parents bewildered, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has revised its childhood vaccine schedule to align with Denmark's recommendations. The updated guidelines recommend fewer vaccines for children, including those against polio, chickenpox, and HPV.
While the shift may seem minor, it reflects a broader misconception that has long been a talking point in anti-vaccine campaigns: if it works in Europe, it must work here too. However, health officials warn that such an assumption is a major fallacy. European countries differ significantly from the US in terms of demographics, healthcare systems, social safety nets, and public health infrastructure – all factors that shape policy choices.
Josh Michaud, associate director of global health and public policy at KFF, notes that relying on guidelines developed elsewhere risks overlooking local conditions and realities that matter for effective public health policy. "The US has its own scientific institutions and experts who are capable of reviewing evidence and developing guidelines specific to the country," he said.
But there's another factor at play: the selective use of European comparisons. While Denmark's vaccine recommendations are being touted as a model, many other European countries have universal healthcare coverage, stronger social welfare programs, and stricter gun laws than the US. Yet these policies are rarely cited as models by US officials.
In fact, experts across peer countries generally agree on the underlying science of vaccine safety and efficacy. The issue lies in how that data is applied within each country's context and population.
Jens Lundgren, an infectious disease specialist at Copenhagen University Hospital, agrees. "Vaccine schedules should be based on a population's needs," he said. "For example, meningococcal diseases are not really a public health problem in Denmark. We feel that there are other vaccines that should be higher on the list at the moment."
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has expressed strong opposition to the revised guidelines, calling them "dangerous and unnecessary." Dr. Andrew Racine, AAP's president, noted that the US is a unique country with its own population, public health infrastructure, and disease risk.
The shift in vaccine recommendations raises concerns about confusion among parents and potential reductions in vaccination rates, leading to increased cases of preventable diseases. As Michaud pointed out, "Reclassifying vaccines for six diseases from routine recommendations to 'shared clinical decision-making' adds complexity for both providers and parents."
In a move that has left many health experts and parents bewildered, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has revised its childhood vaccine schedule to align with Denmark's recommendations. The updated guidelines recommend fewer vaccines for children, including those against polio, chickenpox, and HPV.
While the shift may seem minor, it reflects a broader misconception that has long been a talking point in anti-vaccine campaigns: if it works in Europe, it must work here too. However, health officials warn that such an assumption is a major fallacy. European countries differ significantly from the US in terms of demographics, healthcare systems, social safety nets, and public health infrastructure – all factors that shape policy choices.
Josh Michaud, associate director of global health and public policy at KFF, notes that relying on guidelines developed elsewhere risks overlooking local conditions and realities that matter for effective public health policy. "The US has its own scientific institutions and experts who are capable of reviewing evidence and developing guidelines specific to the country," he said.
But there's another factor at play: the selective use of European comparisons. While Denmark's vaccine recommendations are being touted as a model, many other European countries have universal healthcare coverage, stronger social welfare programs, and stricter gun laws than the US. Yet these policies are rarely cited as models by US officials.
In fact, experts across peer countries generally agree on the underlying science of vaccine safety and efficacy. The issue lies in how that data is applied within each country's context and population.
Jens Lundgren, an infectious disease specialist at Copenhagen University Hospital, agrees. "Vaccine schedules should be based on a population's needs," he said. "For example, meningococcal diseases are not really a public health problem in Denmark. We feel that there are other vaccines that should be higher on the list at the moment."
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has expressed strong opposition to the revised guidelines, calling them "dangerous and unnecessary." Dr. Andrew Racine, AAP's president, noted that the US is a unique country with its own population, public health infrastructure, and disease risk.
The shift in vaccine recommendations raises concerns about confusion among parents and potential reductions in vaccination rates, leading to increased cases of preventable diseases. As Michaud pointed out, "Reclassifying vaccines for six diseases from routine recommendations to 'shared clinical decision-making' adds complexity for both providers and parents."
I mean, on one hand, I get why they're trying to align with European guidelines or whatever, but at the same time, can't we just figure out what's best for our own country? 
I guess the thing is, Denmark has that amazing social safety net and universal healthcare coverage, which might be a game changer. 
But on the other hand, some folks are saying that relying on European comparisons is all like, super flawed and stuff... 
Like, we need our own experts to weigh in and make sure we're doing what's best for US kids. 
And don't even get me started on how this is gonna confuse parents and potentially lead to fewer shots for the kiddos... 
Ugh, I just don't know, man! 
I'm so done with these vaccine guidelines... like what even is the point? We're shifting our schedule to mirror Denmark's because, apparently, if it works in Europe, it must work here too 
. Newsflash: just because it does for one country doesn't mean it'll work for us! We need to look at our own demographics, healthcare systems, and social safety nets (which btw are lacking 
) before making any decisions.
. It's all about context and population needs, not just relying on what works in another country.
. The American Academy of Pediatrics is speaking out for a reason - these revised guidelines are "dangerous and unnecessary" 
. Let's not confuse parents with outdated info just because it sounds good in theory 
. we can't just assume that what works in denmark will work here because of our own unique circumstances 
. like, if more people aren't getting vaccinated it could lead to more cases of preventable diseases and that's not good for anyone 
. we need to be thinking about the bigger picture here 
.
And btw, what's with all this fuss about vaccines? I got my kid vaccinated, big deal! 
It's not like they're gonna get sick or anything... oh wait, they might 
omg can't believe the us is copying denmark's vaccine schedule 
I mean, Denmark might have a great healthcare system and all that, but what about other countries like...I don't know...the US? 
We need to recognize that each country has its unique context and population needs.
I'm not sure what's more concerning, though - the revised guidelines themselves or the fact that we're relying on European comparisons in the first place. It feels like we're forgetting about our own social safety net 
We need to make sure we're prioritizing the right vaccines for our population, not just following someone else's lead. 
. Meanwhile, they're forgetting about the whole "social safety net" thing, aka the stuff that actually matters in public health policy 
? Get real, US! You can't just use European comparisons as a model without considering the actual differences between countries 
. And don't even get me started on the AAP's opposition to these revised guidelines - "dangerous and unnecessary" is like music to my ears 
. Can we please just have some common sense and evidence-based decision making around vaccines instead of trying to be trendy? 
We've got our own strengths and weaknesses, like any other country. And can we talk about how confusing it is when countries start playing comparisons? Like, what even is a "European model" anyway? 
They're working hard to figure out what works best for us, not just relying on European comparisons. And yeah, maybe the US isn't as "social" in the way Europe is (you know what I mean), but that doesn't mean we can't take care of our own people and develop policies that work for us.