Grewell

During the first seven days of 2026, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) updated the recommended vaccine schedule for all children, reducing the number of targeted illnesses from 17 to 11.

According to the HHS, moving into the new year, vaccinations are in three different categories.

The first category is for all children. Moving into the new year, the targeted illnesses include measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, chicken pox, haemophilus influenza type B, pneumonia, polio and human papillomavirus (HPV).

The second category is for certain high-risk children. It is recommended they also receive vaccines for meningitis, hepatitis A and B and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

The third category is recommended based on shared clinical decisions and includes rotavirus, hepatitis A and B, influenza, COVID-19 and meningitis.

Marshall County Public Health Director Sydney Grewell said some children could be considered high risk if they are regularly in congregate settings like daycare and school.

“Protection against an additional six diseases are recommended still, but encouraged based on shared clinical decision making,” she said. “This just means that conversations happen between patients and providers. We know Iowa doctors, nurses and pharmacists have conversations with their patients at every visit, so this will not change anything in practice.”

Grewell is concerned about confusion that some rhetoric surrounding vaccines have caused.

“We know that the science has not changed,” she said. “Vaccines are the best way to protect against these diseases. We encourage our residents to talk to their doctor or pharmacist.”

The county health department will continue to recommend residents talk to their healthcare provider about vaccines.

“No school requirements have changed, and no timeline has been given for any suggested changes,” she said. “Iowa code for school and daycare attendance remains unchanged.”

One reason for the reduction of the number of vaccines is an effort to increase the public’s confidence in vaccination schedules. Fortunately, Grewell said she knows many in Marshall County continue to trust public health and health care facilities such as McFarland Clinic, UnityPoint and Primary Healthcare.

That confidence is necessary as a case of measles was discovered in Polk County in December, and is one of the most contagious of the illnesses included in the vaccine schedule.

“Measles is a growing concern across the country as vaccine rates have been declining,” Grewell said. “The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best defense against measles. One dose is 93 percent effective, while two doses is 97 percent effective. We have not seen a positive measles case in Marshall County. It is a communicable disease and is required to be reported by law in the state of Iowa. If someone residing within Marshall County were to contract measles, Marshall County Public Health would work directly with Iowa Health and Human Services to address the situation.”

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.