Pediatric vaccines: Questions parents will ask—and how to answer

As seasonal respiratory illnesses like flu and RSV circulate alongside a resurgence of measles, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released its 2026 immunization schedule. This annual update, a practice spanning 90 years, reaffirms the importance of timely vaccination for children and adolescents. The AAP’s recommendations are endorsed by a coalition of over one million physicians, pharmacists, and pediatric health professionals, including the American Medical Association (AMA).

Why the AAP’s Schedule Matters Now

According to AMA President Bobby Mukkamala, MD, transparent and consistent communication from trusted sources is crucial given the current health landscape. Dr. Mukkamala emphasized that vaccination is a key tool in preventing the reemergence of diseases like polio, measles, and pertussis, and keeping children healthy and safe. The AAP’s schedule is rooted in decades of real-world data demonstrating the lifesaving impact of vaccination.

Did You Know? The AAP has issued a child vaccine schedule every year for the last 90 years.

A Divergence from CDC Recommendations

The AAP’s 2026 schedule differs from recent changes made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sean O’Leary, MD, MPH, chair of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases, explained that the CDC’s updated schedule departs from longstanding medical evidence. Specifically, the CDC has moved recommendations for vaccines against hepatitis A and B, COVID-19, rotavirus, flu, and meningococcal disease to “shared clinical decision-making.”

This shift concerns medical professionals, as it potentially leaves children vulnerable to preventable diseases. Dr. O’Leary stated, “There’s no reason children should have to suffer and die from preventable disease.”

Understanding “Shared Clinical Decision-Making”

“Shared clinical decision-making” is typically reserved for medical interventions where the benefits don’t clearly outweigh the risks, or decisions are highly dependent on individual patient circumstances. However, the AAP emphasizes that routine childhood vaccinations are recommended precisely because the evidence demonstrates their effectiveness in preventing disease. Standard practice already includes conversations between physicians and families about vaccines, along with informed consent and vaccine-information statements.

Expert Insight: The AAP’s decision to release its own schedule highlights a growing concern that changes to the CDC’s recommendations may not reflect the best available scientific evidence for protecting children from preventable diseases. This divergence underscores the importance of ongoing dialogue and evidence-based decision-making in public health.

Insurance Coverage and Specific Vaccine Recommendations

Federal officials have confirmed that childhood immunizations will continue to be covered by insurance, even if they are no longer considered “routine” by the CDC. The health insurer trade group AHIP has also committed to covering immunizations recommended as of September 1, 2025, without cost-sharing through the end of 2026.

The AAP continues to recommend vaccines protecting against 18 diseases. Specific recommendations include offering toddlers either an MMR vaccine plus a monovalent varicella vaccine or the MMRV vaccine for their first dose, and continuing to recommend annual influenza vaccines starting at 6 months old. For infants, the AAP recommends RSV immunization for those born during or entering their first RSV season, or for high-risk infants entering their second season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the AAP release another vaccine schedule this year?

“The AAP has issued a child vaccine schedule every year for the last 90 years. We continually review and update our recommendations to ensure they reflect the best available evidence and what the science supports,” said Sean O’Leary, MD, MPH.

Why is the AAP’s schedule different than the CDC’s?

Recent changes to the CDC’s immunization schedule depart from longstanding medical evidence and no longer offer the optimal way to prevent illness in children, according to Dr. O’Leary.

Which organizations are supporting the AAP childhood vaccine schedule?

In addition to the AMA, 11 other organizations support the AAP’s recommendations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Nurse Midwives, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

As public health recommendations evolve, staying informed and discussing concerns with a trusted physician remains the most effective way to protect children’s health. What steps will you take to ensure you have the most up-to-date information regarding your child’s vaccination needs?