Good morning, Hopkinton! Welcome to the daily update we call Hopkinton Today — a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights of what’s on tap, and a photo of the day.

Health Department in holding pattern as state, region respond to CDC vaccine changes

FILE PHOTO/DAKOTA ANTELMAN

The Hopkinton Health Department is waiting to see how the state and region will respond to a recent move by the federal government to reduce the number of recommended vaccines for children.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Monday that it plans to reduce the number of recommended vaccines for children from 17 to 11.

“It effectively adds a barrier to obtaining an influenza, rotavirus, [hepatitis] A and B and meningitis vaccine,” Shaun McAuliffe, Hopkinton’s health director, stated in an email.

The CDC’s updated immunization schedule follows a directive from President Trump “to review international best practices from peer, developed countries,” according to a press release.

McAuliffe claimed that the removal of those vaccines could strip certain legal protections from the companies that produce them. “If the manufacturers are subject to litigation, they are less likely to produce vaccines,” he explained.

According to McAuliffe, the change comes during an acute flu season. WCVB reported this week that confirmed flu cases in Boston increased 126% between Dec. 14-27, and hospitalizations nearly tripled. The Independent has requested data on the number of flu cases in Hopkinton.

McAuliffe stated that he believed the Northeast Public Health Collaborative — a coalition of northeastern states spanning from Maine to Maryland formed in 2025 — may choose not to recognize the changes. Gov. Maura Healey also stated in a press release that Massachusetts will continue to “recommend and provide easy access” to these vaccines.

“We may not be impacted,” McAuliffe concluded.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

The Planning Board on Monday agreed to continue looking at revisions to the town’s MBTA Communities Act zoning following a review of options developed by the Zoning Advisory Committee.

Questions were raised about the age and condition of the roof at the former Center School during Tuesday’s meeting of the Permanent Building Committee.

Roy Tiziani, 82, of Hopkinton passed away on Jan. 4.

The Hopkinton Women’s Club will host its next monthly meeting on Monday at the Hopkinton Public Library.

Town meetings tonight include the Marathon Committee (7).

Photo of the Day

Hopkinton High School girls basketball player Gabby Simulis shoots a 3-pointer during the Hillers’ 60-32 victory over visiting Bellingham on Monday. It was Hopkinton’s sixth straight win to open the season.

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO