American Academy of Pediatrics Breaks With CDC on 2026 Vaccine Schedule
AAP endorses vaccines for 18 diseases and will not follow the CDC's Jan. 5 reduction to 11 diseases.
Overview
The American Academy of Pediatrics issued its 2026 immunization schedule endorsing routine vaccines for 18 diseases and said it no longer endorses the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention schedule, Dr. Sean O'Leary said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Jan. 5 reduced its childhood vaccine recommendations from 18 diseases to 11, removing COVID-19, RSV, influenza, rotavirus and hepatitis A and B, the CDC said.
The AAP's guidance is endorsed by 12 medical groups and represents about 67,000 pediatricians, while at least 28 state health departments have said they will not follow the CDC changes, KFF reported.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the changes 'won't take anybody's vaccine away' and insurance will continue to pay, and President Trump called the reforms science-based, administration statements show.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is expanding a lawsuit against HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reverse the removals, and Michael Osterholm warned it could lead to more preventable hospitalizations.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a medical-establishment rebuttal to federal policy by foregrounding AAP warnings, using evaluative language ("strong departure"), and curating quotes from AAP leaders and allied medical groups. They downplay CDC voices (no direct CDC quotes), emphasize state and professional alignment, and highlight HHS’s vague rationale in quoted form.