Colorado Bill Prioritizes AAP Vaccine Guidance Amidst CDC Schedule Changes & RFK Jr’s Influence

Colorado lawmakers have moved to safeguard vaccine recommendations amid shifting federal guidance, approving a bill that allows the state to rely on medical organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in addition to and sometimes in place of, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The move comes after recent changes to the CDC’s immunization schedule and concerns over political influence within the agency.

Senate Bill 32, passed by the Colorado Senate on February 6, 2026, does not introduce new vaccine mandates or alter existing exemption policies. However, it does authorize pharmacists to independently prescribe and administer vaccines, and updates liability provisions related to vaccine administration. The bill now proceeds to the House for consideration.

The impetus for the legislation stems from a series of changes initiated by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In June 2025, Kennedy dismissed all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), replacing them with individuals, some of whom have expressed skepticism about vaccine safety and efficacy. This was followed in January 2026 by a significant overhaul of the CDC’s recommended childhood immunization schedule, reducing the number of routinely recommended vaccines from 17 to 11.

The CDC’s revised schedule now categorizes vaccines for illnesses such as rotavirus, hepatitis A and B, meningitis, and seasonal flu as recommended only for high-risk groups or based on “shared clinical decision making,” rather than universally recommended for all children. This shift prompted the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to proactively recommend the AAP’s vaccine schedule on its website, a schedule “developed by infectious disease experts and reflects decades of peer-reviewed evidence and safety monitoring,” according to a letter to providers.

SB 32 formalizes this approach, allowing the state Board of Health to consider guidance from the AAP, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American College of Physicians, alongside federal recommendations. Senator Kyle Mullica, a Thornton Democrat and emergency room nurse, emphasized that the bill is a response to “dysfunction coming out of Washington, D.C.” and a commitment to prioritizing “science matters.”

The bill also addresses liability concerns, expanding existing state protections to all healthcare providers and entities administering immunizations. This provision aims to encourage broader participation in vaccine administration and ensure consistent access for Coloradans.

While the bill received bipartisan support in the Senate, concerns were raised by some regarding the potential financial implications for the state and the appropriateness of state-level intervention in federal recommendations. Opponents also questioned the bill’s necessity, suggesting that the CDC’s changes do not pose an immediate threat to public health.

During committee hearings, testimony highlighted the potential consequences of declining vaccination rates. Dr. Edwin Asturias, a pediatrician and infectious disease expert at Children’s Hospital Colorado, noted a recent surge in flu cases, with 32 pediatric deaths nationwide, including three in Colorado. He also pointed to decreasing vaccination rates for both flu and measles, raising concerns about the resurgence of preventable diseases.

Samantha Hochman, a Denver mother, shared her personal experience, emphasizing the protective power of vaccination. “My children are fully vaccinated,” she told the committee, expressing gratitude for the peace of mind that comes with knowing her children are protected against serious illnesses.

However, opposition to the bill also surfaced. Cynthia Nevison, a contractor with the ACIP, argued that the current US childhood immunization schedule may contribute to hyperreactive immune system disorders and neuro-immune conditions. She praised Kennedy’s efforts to “reverse the tragic decline in children’s health” and suggested Colorado should embrace the new CDC recommendations.

Other opponents raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, pointing to financial ties between pharmaceutical companies and the medical organizations whose recommendations would be prioritized under SB 32. Julie Denton of the Colorado Health Choice Alliance argued that these organizations are not “neutral entities” and that granting them state-sanctioned authority over vaccine recommendations is “deeply troubling.”

At least 20 states are already utilizing guidance from the AAP and other medical associations when setting vaccine policies, supplementing or diverging from CDC recommendations. Colorado’s legislation aims to solidify this approach, ensuring that state vaccine policies are grounded in scientific evidence and protected from political interference. Senator Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, who is expecting a child on February 3, 2026, underscored the importance of maintaining stable and science-based immunization systems to protect public health and ensure consistent vaccine access.