Childhood Vaccine Schedule & Food Pyramid Updates
How many vaccines do other countries recommend? Plus, obesity stats that led to the new food pyramid
Health
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The following infographic and video were shared on social media on January 6 and 9, 2026, respectively. Sources – and direct links to view/share on multiple platforms – are provided at the bottom of each post. Please report broken links here.
U.S. Updates Childhood Vaccine Recommendations
In 2024, the U.S. recommended routine vaccinations against 17 diseases (84-88 doses). For infants receiving the RSV monoclonal antibody injection, the total number of injections could run up to 72 to protect against 18 diseases. (Note: The use of multi-purpose vaccines explains why “dose” and “injection” totals don’t always line up.)
A new update, introduced January 5, 2026, reduces diseases to 11 and doses to 38-39. Recommended vaccines now include: measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Hib, pneumococcal disease, HPV, and varicella (chickenpox).
✏️ References
Department of Health & Human Services. (2 January 2026). Assessment of U.S. Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule Compared to Other Countries.
Department of Health & Human Services. (5 January 2026). CDC Acts on Presidential Memorandum to Update Childhood Immunization Schedule.
New Food Pyramid Revealed
Following decades of skyrocketing obesity rates, United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., revealed the USDA's new Food Pyramid on January 7, 2026.
✏️ References
Obesity Statistics
1960-2018:
Fryar, C.D., Carroll, M,D, & Afful, J. (2020). Prevalence of overweight, obesity, and severe obesity among adults aged 20 and over: United States, 1960-1962 through 2017-2018. National Center for Health Statistics: Health E-Stats.
2019-2020:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (14 May 2024). Obesity.
2021-2023:
Emmerich, S.D., Fryar, C.D., Stierman, B. & Ogden, C.L. (September 2024). Obesity and Severe Obesity Prevalence in Adults: United States, August 2021-August 2023. National Center for Health Statistics: Data Brief, 508.
Food Recommendations
National Archives. (1992). Food Guide Pyramid: A Guide to Daily Food Choices.
Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs. (December 1977). Dietary Goals of the United States (Second Edition). United States Senate.
USDA. (2026). History of Dietary Guidance Development in the United States – A Timeline. Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
USDA. (2026). Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (7 January 2026). Kennedy, Rollins Unveil Historic Reset of U.S. Nutrition Policy, Put Real Food Back at Center of Health.
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