Warning: This episode contains strong language.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday released new guidelines that dramaticaly cut down the number of childhood vaccines recommended by the federal government.Apoorva Mandavilli and Benjamin Mueller, who cover health, explain what is being cut and how it fits into Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s broader agenda.Guest:<ul><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/apoorva-mandavilli" target="_blank">Apoorva Mandavilli</a>, a science and global health reporter at The New York Times.</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/benjamin-mueller" target="_blank">Benjamin Mueller</a>, a reporter covering health and medicine for The New York Times.</li></ul>Background reading: <ul><li>Mr. Kennedy on Monday <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/health/children-vaccines-cdc-kennedy.html" target="_blank">scaled back the number of vaccines recommended for children</a>.</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/well/childhood-vaccine-schedule-cdc-changes.html" target="_blank">Here’s what to know</a> about the new childhood vaccine schedule.</li></ul>Photo: Annie Rice/EPA, via ShutterstockFor more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily">nytimes.com/thedaily</a>. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. 
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