CDC Overhauls Childhood Vaccine Schedule

Health

CDC Overhauls Childhood Vaccine Schedule

What’s going on: The CDC now recommends fewer vaccines for children, a major shift in federal guidance that takes effect immediately. Under the new schedule unveiled Monday, the health agency advises shots against 11 diseases, down from 18, while still backing routine vaccines like measles, mumps, rubella, polio, chickenpox, and HPV. The CDC says shots for RSV, meningitis, hepatitis A and B, among others, will only be encouraged for high-risk groups. It also urges families to use “shared clinical decision-making” with their doctor to settle on flu, COVID-19, and rotavirus vaccinations. Federal officials say the change aligns the US more closely with peer countries and draws from Denmark’s approach (despite key differences in population and healthcare systems). A former CDC vaccine leader said it’s unclear what evidence drove the changes, calling it a “stealth” move that skipped expert input and a transparent scientific review.

What it means: If you want your kids to receive all of the CDC’s previously recommended vaccines, you’ll still have access to them. Federal officials say insurers will continue to cover those shots without cost-sharing. Where this could feel different is at the pediatrician’s office. Some formerly routine vaccines now require a conversation and an explicit choice. And while the CDC’s schedule isn’t a mandate, it heavily influences insurance coverage and school and daycare requirements — so changes here could ripple outward over time. Public health experts warn the new approach could also create confusion and raise the risk of preventable disease outbreaks.

Related: Federal Health Officials Greenlight At-Home HPV Tests (ABC News)

The News in 5

🗞️ Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro rejected US drug-trafficking charges, while President Donald Trump suggested American action could extend to these other countries.

🗞️ Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) says he will not seek reelection, but this familiar name is considering a possible run.

🗞️ The EPA says it’ll propose limits on a rocket-fuel chemical in drinking water — reluctantly, and only after losing in court.

🗞️ Flu cases continue to surge and just hit the highest level in the US since the ‘90s.

🗞️ A French court found 10 people guilty of cyberbullying the country’s first lady.

Work

Welcome to the Saturday Scaries

What's going on: We just got back from the holidays, and yet, already, more people are talking about working on Sundays. First, the obvious question: Why? Well, for many anxious employees, Sunday offers something the workweek no longer does: quiet. No Slack pings, fewer emails, and zero meetings. The numbers back that up. Recent data shows about 5% of white-collar US workers logged in on weekends, up from 2023. The urge to take time to think creatively and deeply (alone) makes sense at a time when people deal with about 275 distractions a day (an interruption roughly every two minutes during working hours), according to a Microsoft analysis. The downside is forfeiting some personal time without extra pay. And yes, it means the Sunday scaries may come a day early.

What it means: If you’re considering Sunday work, be honest about why. A few intentional hours may buy flexibility later in the week, like time to leave early for family or personal commitments. But if Sunday starts to feel like a requirement rather than a choice, that’s a warning sign. The real risk is creep. What starts as a quiet check-in can turn into a full workday if you don’t set limits. Decide in advance how long you’ll log on, keep notifications off, and anchor the day with something that clearly marks it as personal time. And if you lead a team, say the quiet part out loud: You don’t expect Sunday work. Otherwise, your own online presence can read as pressure (unless you want to be that person).

Related: This Study Just Made the Case for the Hybrid Work Schedule (CNBC)

Work

No One Likes Commuting — But It's Especially Bad for Women

What's going on: Unfortunately, the gender wage gap keeps hanging on, even as women make gains at work. And while most conversations about supporting working parents focus on child care and paid leave, an understated factor weighs heavily on many moms’ ability to stay employed: the commute. Growing research suggests that for many mothers, keeping a job often hinges on one blunt question: How long does it take to get there? This factor is present not only in the US, but also in countries with better family policies and longer guaranteed parental leave, The Atlantic reports. Commutes impact women of all socioeconomic backgrounds, and the problem continues to grow as “return to office” mandates increase.

What it means: Many moms have to make the tradeoff: Accept lower pay in exchange for more flexibility to be there for their kids. Policies that shorten or ease commutes rarely make the agenda, but the issue carries enough weight that it deserves a place in broader economic debates, The Atlantic writes. As employers regain leverage, what could be a simple fix feels less attainable: flexible hours, plus remote or hybrid options that allow parents to handle school pickups or sick days. Until more workplaces move in that direction, it may help to advocate for solutions that fit your life and to lean on the advice from other parents who have already navigated these choices.

Related: Can Figuring Out Your “Money Personality” Help You Save This Year? (CNBC Make It)

On Our Calendar

A few things to jot down today…

🗓️ The House reconvenes today, on the fifth anniversary of January 6. And lawmakers have a lot of work to do.

🗓️ There’s officially one month until the Winter Olympics. Get ready by watching these wild moments from previous games.

🗓️ It’s National Cuddle Up Day — so grab your favorite blanket, person, or dog and settle in.

Psst…For more dates worth knowing this week, check out the Skimm+ calendar.

Know It All

McDonald's is facing a class action lawsuit over this fan-favorite offering.

Game Time

Start your Tuesday off right with Typeshift, a fun new game that challenges you to create words from a set number of letters. Warning: It’s very addicting. Start playing.