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Major Changes To Childhood Vaccine Schedule Announced By CDC: What To Know In RI

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Major Changes To Childhood Vaccine Schedule Announced By CDC: What To Know In RI


The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention took the unprecedented step Monday of dropping the number of vaccines it recommends for every child, adopting a policy that gives Rhode Island parents choice but very little guidance.

Officials said the overhaul to the federal vaccine schedule won’t result in any families losing access or insurance coverage for vaccines, but medical experts slammed the move, saying it could lead to reduced uptake of important vaccinations and increase disease.

See also: Flu, Respiratory Illnesses Increasing In Rhode Island

Rhode Island has the following requirements:

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Students entering preschool, licensed Department of Human Services center-based and in-home child-care facilities must have:

  • Four doses of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccine
  • One dose of Flu vaccine each year
  • Two doses of Hepatitis A vaccine
  • Three doses of Hepatitis B vaccine
  • Three doses of Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) vaccine
  • One dose of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine
  • Four doses of Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine (not routinely given to healthy children 5 years of age and older)
  • Three doses of Polio vaccine
  • Two doses of Rotavirus vaccine
  • One dose of Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine

See also: RI’s Best Hospitals For 2025: See Full List

Students entering kindergarten must have:

  • Five doses of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccine
  • three doses of Hepatitis B vaccine
  • Two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine
  • Four doses of Polio vaccine
  • Two doses of Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine

Students entering seventh grade must have met the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten immunization requirements and have:

  • One dose of HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine
  • One dose of Meningococcal Conjugate (MCV4) vaccine
  • One dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine

Students entering eighth grade must have met the grade seven immunization requirements and have:

  • Two doses of HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine

Students entering ninth grade must have met the grade eight immunization requirements plus:

  • Three doses of HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine
  • Note: Per current ACIP recommendations, only two doses of HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine are required if series is started at age 14 or younger

Students entering 12th grade must have met the grade nine immunization requirements plus:

  • One dose of Meningococcal Conjugate (MCV4) vaccine as a booster dose

A student, upon entering any college or university, is required to get or has gotten the following:

  • One dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine
  • Two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine
  • Completion of Hepatitis B vaccine series
  • Two doses of Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine
  • One dose of Meningococcal Conjugate (MCV4) vaccine in the last five years for newly enrolled full-time undergraduate and graduate students (younger than 22 years of age) in a degree program at a college or university who will live in a dormitory or comparable congregate living arrangement approved by the institution

See also: Get A Flu Shot, Says Rhode Island Health Czar

The vaccine schedule is similar to Denmark’s and recommends children get vaccines for 11 diseases, compared with the 18 the CDC previously recommended. The changes are effective immediately.

The change, which officials acknowledged was made without input from an advisory committee that typically consults on the vaccine schedule, came after President Donald Trump in December asked the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to review how peer nations approach vaccine recommendations and consider revising its guidance to align with theirs.

HHS said its comparison to 20 peer nations found that the U.S. was an “outlier” in both the number of vaccinations and the number of doses it recommended to all children. Officials with the agency framed the change as a way to increase public trust by recommending only the most important vaccinations for children to receive.

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See also: Get Your Baby The Hepatitis B Shot: Rhode Island Department Of Health

“This decision protects children, respects families, and rebuilds trust in public health,” Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a statement Monday.

Medical experts disagreed, saying the change without public discussion or a transparent review of the data would put children at risk.

“Abandoning recommendations for vaccines that prevent influenza, hepatitis and rotavirus, and changing the recommendation for HPV without a public process to weigh the risks and benefits, will lead to more hospitalizations and preventable deaths among American children,” said Michael Osterholm of the Vaccine Integrity Project, based at the University of Minnesota.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

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See also: RI Flu Cases Rising As New Variant Spreads



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GoLocalProv | Politics | Providence On Sunday Is One of the Sites for a National Protest Against ICE

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GoLocalProv | Politics | Providence On Sunday Is One of the Sites for a National Protest Against ICE


Saturday, January 10, 2026

 

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Protest in Providence in June against ICE PHOTO: GoLocal

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Organizers in Rhode Island and across the country are mobilizing against ICE after a pair of shootings in the past few days.

Organizers locally said, “Rhode Islanders will gather on Sunday to honor the life lost, make visible the human cost of ICE’s actions, and demand that state and federal leaders reject local contracts with ICE, take every action possible to stop ICE from operating in Rhode Island, and hold ICE agents accountable when they break the law.”

The RI event begins at 2 PM at the State House on Sunday.

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Nationally, it was a announced on Friday that, “A broad national coalition, including Indivisible, MoveOn Civic Action, the American Civil Liberties Union, Voto Latino, United We Dream, 50501, the Disappeared in America Campaign of the Not Above the Law coalition, and partner organizations across the country, is calling for a coordinated ICE Out For Good Weekend of Action.

“The mobilization comes in response to the escalation of ICE violence in our communities, the killing of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old wife and mother of three, and the months-long pattern of unchecked violence and abuse in marginalized communities across America. Across the country, communities will gather in nonviolent, lawful, and community-led actions to honor the life lost, demand accountability, and make visible the human cost of ICE’s actions,” said organizers.

Organizers added, “Good and the Portland victims are part of a broader and deeply alarming pattern of unchecked violence and abuse by federal immigration enforcement agencies. In September, ICE reportedly shot and killed Silverio Villegas González, a father and cook from Mexico living in Chicago. In 2025 alone, more than 30 people have reportedly died in ICE detention.”

 

 

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Rhode Island General Assembly Begins 2026 Session With Focus on Affordability – Newport Buzz

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Rhode Island General Assembly Begins 2026 Session With Focus on Affordability – Newport Buzz


PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island lawmakers opened the 2026 legislative session this week with a focus on health care affordability, housing costs and economic stability, as leaders in both chambers warned of uncertainty tied to federal budget changes.

House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi outlined House priorities centered on expanding access to health care while lowering costs, calling it the chamber’s top agenda item for the year. He also said lawmakers will continue addressing housing shortages and rising home energy costs, emphasizing the need for community input as policy decisions move forward.

In the Senate, President Valarie J. Lawson convened the chamber by urging bipartisan cooperation and announcing plans to introduce legislation supporting education, small businesses and the state’s health care system. Stabilizing hospitals and strengthening the primary care workforce were identified as key goals.

Both chambers paused to honor victims of the Dec. 13 shooting at Brown University, passing resolutions recognizing the victims and commending first responders. Lawmakers also observed a moment of silence.

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New legislation introduced by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara would require the Department of Education to adopt a zero-tolerance hazing policy in partnership with the Rhode Island Interscholastic League, mandating clear and consistent discipline statewide.

Meanwhile, Reps. David Morales and Jennifer Stewart called on Gov. Dan McKee to fully fund public libraries in the upcoming state budget.

Speaker Shekarchi also announced several committee leadership changes, appointing Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee as chairwoman of the House Judiciary Committee and Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith as chairwoman of the House Small Business Committee.

The week also marked the first Senate session for Sen. Stefano V. Famiglietti, who received committee assignments following his election to fill a vacant seat.

Legislative leaders capped the week by joining faith leaders at the 18th annual Rhode Island Interfaith Poverty Vigil at the State House, calling attention to legislation aimed at reducing poverty statewide.

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Temporary erosion protection systems installed at Second Beach in Middletown, Rhode Island



 

 


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RI Lottery Lucky For Life, Numbers Midday winning numbers for Jan. 8, 2026

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The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 8, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

05-12-13-39-48, Lucky Ball: 13

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

Midday: 9-9-1-3

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Evening: 0-9-6-6

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

01-07-12-30-35, Extra: 26

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

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Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

  • Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
  • Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
  • Winners of the Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.

When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
  • Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
  • Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
  • Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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