AAP Rejects CDC, Keeps 2026 Vaccine Schedule
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released its 2026 child and adolescent immunization schedule, which continues to recommend protection against 18 diseases vs the 11 on the CDC's...
- Twelve other national health organizations and 28 states have endorsed the AAP's vaccination schedule and will no longer recommend that of the CDC.
- The American Academy of pediatrics (AAP) released its recommended immunization schedule for children and adolescents ages 18 years and younger on February 1, 2026, which differs from the...
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released its 2026 child and adolescent immunization schedule, which continues to recommend protection against 18 diseases vs the 11 on the CDC’s vaccine schedule, which it no longer endorses.1,2
Twelve other national health organizations and 28 states have endorsed the AAP’s vaccination schedule and will no longer recommend that of the CDC. The shift in endorsement breaks a decades-long collaboration between the AAP and CDC, meant to establish a single set of vaccine guidelines. The AAP, other health organizations, and states decided to disregard the CDC’s vaccine advice after the agency proposed changes to the schedule in October 2023 that were met with criticism.
The American Academy of pediatrics (AAP) released its recommended immunization schedule for children and adolescents ages 18 years and younger on February 1, 2026, which differs from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations. The AAP schedule recommends vaccines for diseases such as respiratory syncytial virus, rotavirus, influenza, hepatitis A and B, COVID-19, and meningococcal disease. Under the CDC’s guidelines, these diseases’ vaccine recommendations have been downgraded to be suggested only for high-risk groups or after a health care provider consult.1,2 No new data were presented by federal officials to support the CDC decision to revise the previous recommendations, but it was based on modeling the schedule largely after Denmark’s, despite its significantly different health system and population.2
“Comparing the U.S. childhood immunization schedule to that of Denmark or other countries ignores fundamental differences in population size, diversity, healthcare access, and infectious disease risk,” Robert Hopkins, MD, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, said in a statement. “These differences matter. U.S. immunization policies must be guided by a clear, evidence-based process and grounded in U.S. epidemiology and real-world risk.”2
The AAP’s recommendations were made based on vaccine safety data, the epidemiology of the US population, and the efficacy of each vaccine.1 Such as, the AAP recommends 2 doses of the human papillomavirus vaccine starting at ages 9 to 12 years. The CDC’s guidelines recommend 1 dose at ages 11 to 12 years.
“Following our schedule on time remains the best way to ensure children receive the strongest possible protection,” AAP’s Committee on Infectious Diseases Chair Sean T. O’Leary, MD, MPH, said in a press conference.1
The AAP continues to contest the CDC’s recommendations after filing a lawsuit in July 2025 challenging what it calls HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s “unilateral changes to COVID-19 vaccine policy without scientific evidence.” On January 19, 2026, the AAP filed an amended complaint seeking to stop the implementation of the CDC’s updated vaccine recommendations.
Kennedy
2. Grossi G. CDC reduces US childhood immunization schedule from 17 to 11 diseases. AJMC®. January 5, 2026. Accessed January 27, 2026.
3.Steinzor P. CDC vaccine panel meets for first time after RFK Jr expelled former members. AJMC.June 25, 2025. Accessed January 27, 2026.