1005 - Vaccines 101: The Past, Present, and Future of the Federal Vaccine Schedule

Feb 3, 2026

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About this episode:

For decades, the recommended immunization schedule has guided physicians through the proper administration of vaccines and empowered individuals to protect themselves against preventable diseases. But recent changes to the schedule and the overhaul of the CDC committee leading vaccine recommendations throws public and personal health into uncharted territory. In this episode: Vaccine expert Walter Orenstein explains the importance of a transparently developed, standardized schedule and shares his concerns about recent changes to the recommendations.

Guests:

Dr. Walter Orenstein is the associate director of the Emory Vaccine Center. He previously held roles with the CDC and served as the director of the United States Immunization Program and Assistant Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service.

Host:

Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.

Show links and related content:

CDC Acts on Presidential Memorandum to Update Childhood Immunization Schedule—U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Who Decides Which Vaccines Americans Should Get and When?—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
The history of the United States Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)—Vaccine
Vaccines 101—Public Health On Call

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