New CDC guidelines: COVID-19 vaccine based on individual risk, toddlers’ chickenpox shot split from MMR

By Admin

07 Oct, 2025

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has rolled out major updates to the United States’ adult and child immunization schedules, marking a shift toward more personalized healthcare decisions. The new guidance introduces individual-based COVID-19 vaccination and recommends that toddlers receive the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine separately from the combined MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) shot. The revised schedules are set to be officially published on CDC.gov by October 7, 2025.

Individual-Based COVID-19 Vaccination
In a significant policy change, the CDC is now encouraging healthcare providers to use an individualized approach when recommending COVID-19 vaccines. This replaces the previous blanket booster recommendation issued in 2022. Under the new model, medical professionals will discuss the risks and benefits of vaccination with each patient, taking into account their health status and potential exposure.

Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim O’Neill emphasized that “Informed consent is back,” underscoring the renewed focus on shared decision-making between patients and healthcare providers.

The CDC’s data shows that while nearly 85% of US adults completed the initial COVID-19 vaccine series, only 23% received the most recent booster. The low uptake reflects growing concerns over vaccine necessity and safety as COVID-19 transitions into an endemic phase.

Who Should Consider the Updated COVID-19 Vaccination
The revised CDC guidance identifies specific groups who may benefit most:

• Individuals under 65 who have increased risk factors for severe COVID-19.
  
  

• Individuals aged 65 and above, for whom vaccination remains strongly recommended.
  
  

This targeted approach aims to balance protection with personal choice, ensuring vaccines are administered based on individual medical needs rather than universal mandates.

Shared Clinical Decision-Making Framework
The CDC’s new “shared clinical decision-making” model empowers healthcare providers including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists to evaluate each case using three key criteria:

• Patient-specific risk factors for disease.
  
  

• Vaccine characteristics such as safety and efficacy.
  
  

• Evidence on who is most likely to benefit.
  
  

This patient-centered approach aligns with broader healthcare trends that emphasize autonomy, transparency, and individualized care.

Standalone Chickenpox Vaccination for Toddlers
Another notable change involves the vaccination schedule for children. The CDC now recommends that toddlers aged 12–36 months receive the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine separately rather than as part of the combined MMRV shot.

Recent studies have shown that healthy toddlers given the combination MMRV vaccine have approximately double the risk of developing febrile seizures (fever-related seizures) seven to ten days after vaccination, compared to those who receive chickenpox and MMR vaccines separately.

The CDC reassures parents that the standalone varicella vaccine offers the same level of protection against chickenpox as the combination shot, but with a lower risk of side effects, making it a safer choice for young children.

A Move Toward Personalization in Public Health
The updated immunization schedules mark a decisive step toward personalized vaccination strategies in the US. By focusing on individual risk profiles and emphasizing shared decision-making, the CDC aims to restore public confidence and ensure that vaccination remains both effective and patient-centered.

These updates reflect a broader evolution in healthcare policy one that values informed consent, individualized protection, and long-term trust between patients and providers.