The CDC recently updated its vaccine schedules, giving folks more of a decision about COVID-19 shots and recommending separate chickenpox vaccines for toddlers. These changes were made in efforts to make vaccine decisions more personal and based on individual health risks.

The CDC said in an announcement that decisions about COVID-19 vaccines should be made through “shared clinical decision-making ,” meaning doctors, nurses or pharmacists should talk with patients about their specific risks before recommending a vaccine.

Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim O’Neill explained in the announcement why the change was needed.

“Informed consent is back. CDC's 2022 blanket recommendation for perpetual COVID-19 boosters deterred healthcare providers from talking about the risks a

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