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On Monday, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published the “Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule: United States, 2026,” that continues to recommend routine immunization for protection against 18 diseases, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rotavirus, influenza, and meningococcal disease. A policy statement describes the schedule in AAP Red Book Online, the academy’s clinical guidebook for infectious diseases prevention and treatment. A parent-friendly immunization schedule is published, here. “The AAP will continue to provide recommendations for immunizations that are rooted in science and are in the best interest of the health of infants, children, and adolescents of this country,” AAP President Andrew Racine, MD, PhD, FAAP said. “Routine childhood immunizations are an important early step in the path to lifelong health. Every step you take alongside your child on that path is because you want them to grow up healthy and as a trusted partner on that journey, your pediatrician welcomes conversations about all your child’s healthcare, including immunizations.” The 2026 AAP immunization schedule has been formally endorsed by 12 medical and healthcare organizations, including: American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) American Medical Association (AMA) American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS) Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) National Medical Association (NMA) Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) Pediatric Pharmacy Association (PPA) Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM) The 2026 AAP recommendations remain largely unchanged from prior AAP guidance released in August 2025, but they differ from a schedule recently issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC ). The AAP formerly partnered with the CDC to create a unified set of vaccine recommendations, but recent changes to the CDC immunization schedule depart from longstanding medical evidence and no longer offer the optimal way to prevent illnesses in children. By contrast, the AAP childhood and adolescent immunization schedules continue to recommend immunizations based on the specific disease risks and health care delivery in the United States. “AAP recommends immunizations that have been designed to teach the immune system to recognize and resist serious diseases,” said Sean O’Leary, MD, MPH, FAAP, chair of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases. “They are carefully tested and monitored over time. The pacing and combination of vaccines are based on what we know about when your child’s immune system is ready to learn and respond best.” The AAP recommendations are based on a well-established framework for evidence evaluation, review of vaccine safety data, the epidemiology of the diseases in the U.S., the impact of the diseases, and how the vaccines could prevent the diseases and their complications. The AAP recommendations protect against several diseases, including: RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), which is the leading cause of hospitalization for babies before their first birthday. It is a common virus that affects the lungs and airways. Immunizations for pregnant mothers and newborns provide antibodies that offer necessary protection. Influenza, or the flu vaccine, which is recommended for all children starting at 6 months old. This vaccine helps protect not only the child but also the community—especially during seasons when other viruses like RSV and COVID-19 are also circulating. Historically, over 80% of influenza-associated pediatric deaths have occurred in unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated children. Children younger than 5 years, especially those less than 2 years, are especially vulnerable to severe illness, hospitalizations, and death due to influenza. Hepatitis B, a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease. Chronic infection over the course of a lifetime can lead to liver damage, liver failure, liver cancer, or even death. The hepatitis B vaccine has been tested extensively for safety and efficacy, and when administered within 24 hours of birth it is highly effective in preventing newborn infection. Measles, an extremely contagious disease whose complications can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), deafness, intellectual disability, and even death. More than 2,200 cases, including three deaths, have been reported in outbreaks during the past year, with young children most likely to be affected. Rotavirus, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), polio, pneumococcal disease, COVID-19, mumps, rubella, chickenpox (varicella), meningitis, and hepatitis A are other diseases that can be prevented by following the AAP recommendations for vaccines. “Infectious diseases physicians see the devastating consequences of vaccine-preventable diseases every day, and we are proud to endorse AAP’s childhood immunization schedule,” said Infectious Diseases Society of America President Dr. Ronald G. Nahass, MHCM, FIDSA. “Now more than ever, families and clinicians need accurate information and evidence-based recommendations they can trust to keep our children healthy, and our nation’s physicians are united in answering the call.” Additionally on Monday, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), in coordination with its partners in the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA), endorsed the 2026 AAP Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule. “The United States achieved elimination status for measles in 2000 with high vaccination rates. Now, we're seeing the highest numbers of measles cases, outbreaks, hospitalizations and deaths than we’ve seen in more than 30 years, driven by populations with low-vaccination rates,” said Dr. Erica Pan, CDPH director and State Public Health officer. “We are at risk of losing our measles elimination status, and we all need to work together to share the medical evidence, benefits, and safety of vaccines to provide families the information they need to protect children and our communities." CDPH has also issued separate mpox vaccine recommendations to increase access for that vaccine to adolescents at increased risk of infection. Because the 2026 AAP recommendations are essentially unchanged from prior CDPH recommendations, health insurance coverage in California will continue to cover these recommended vaccines. If parents have questions about the effectiveness and safety of vaccines, they should discuss any concerns with their healthcare provider.

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