Some countries recommend fewer childhood vaccines. That plan is riskier in America.

Barbara Rodriguez

Interim Health and Caregiving Reporter

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President Donald Trump is showing increasing interest in reducing the number of routine childhood vaccines in the United States. As part of that justification, he and anti-vaccine activists are pointing to what’s recommended in other countries — an idea that medical and public health experts say ignores key differences about the United States’ health care system.

The topic was on display this month when speakers at a meeting held by a now-politicized vaccine advisory panel noted that countries like Denmark recommend fewer vaccines to children, including not recommending a universal birth dose for the hepatitis B vaccine. The panel ultimately agreed to end such a recommendat