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CDC Updates Immunization Schedules: COVID-19 and Chickenpox Guidance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released updated adult and child immunization schedules, introducing important changes to both COVID-19 and varicella (chickenpox) vaccine recommendations.

For COVID-19, the CDC now emphasizes shared clinical decision-making between providers and patients. Instead of a universal recommendation for everyone aged six months and older, clinicians are encouraged to base vaccination decisions on each patient’s individual health status and risk factors. This approach allows providers to guide patients using the best available evidence while considering personal circumstances and potential benefits.

The CDC also updated its childhood immunization guidance, recommending that toddlers receive the varicella vaccine as a standalone shot rather than combined with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Research presented to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) found that the combined MMRV vaccine may increase the risk of febrile seizures in young children without offering additional protection.

These changes reflect ACIP’s latest recommendations and are expected to be reflected in the updated schedules published on CDC.gov in October 2025.

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