Pediatric Immunization

Last Updated January 12, 2026

Talking Points

In January 2026, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced significant changes to the United States’ recommended pediatric immunization schedule without following established procedures or providing a scientific rationale. These updates have raised concerns among public health and healthcare professionals regarding potential parental confusion about vaccine access and safety, which could lead to decreased uptake and an increase in preventable illness. PHCC remains committed to clarity and evidence-based messaging and will continue to rely on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) as an expert source on pediatric immunization for our Pediatric Immunization Talking Points. 

About Pediatric Immunization

1. Following the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) schedule of recommended vaccines is the most effective way to protect infants, children, and teens against 17 preventable, potentially serious diseases. The immunizations recommended in the AAP schedule are covered by private insurance, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and Vaccines for Children. Individuals without private insurance through their employer can purchase coverage through the Affordable Care Act, and all associated plans will cover AAP-recommended immunizations.
2. AAP recommends a schedule of pediatric immunizations tailored to the United States and may differer from that used in other countries. These recommendations consider factors such as population size and demographics, its healthcare system, and its history of disease to determine the vaccines that are essential for preventing the spread of disease and severe illness.
3. The recommended immunization schedule begins at birth to protect infants before they are exposed to diseases such as measles, polio, and whooping cough. As children grow, they need to receive additional immunizations to extend their protection against these diseases. Lower vaccination rates in the United States have led to an increase in the spread of disease and a higher risk of severe disease for young children and their families.
   • During 2025, measles cases in the United States reached their highest levels in over 30 years. This has happened as measles vaccination rates have fallen over the last several years to levels below the 95% vaccination rate threshold needed to protect communities against measles outbreaks. Measles vaccination is recommended in children ages 12 months and older and in some cases as early as 6 months of age.
     • Options: Two vaccines can help prevent measles in children 12 months to 12 years old: measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine. Both vaccines are combination vaccines, which means they protect against several diseases in a single dose to reduce the number of injections a person receives and the number of visits to a healthcare professional. There are no separate vaccines to protect against measles, rubella, or mumps individually.
   • The 2024-25 flu season resulted in the highest number of pediatric deaths from the flu over the last 15 years. The 2025-26 flu season is also severe, with flu rates growing across the United States. This is happening  as flu vaccination rates have declined in children in the U.S. Vaccination is the best protection against a potentially life-threatening flu infection. Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months and older, ideally in September or October. While getting vaccinated earlier in the season is recommended, vaccination at any time during flu season, typically between October and May, can prevent severe flu-related illness.

Safety and Effectiveness

1. Safety: In the United States, vaccines undergo years of careful research and testing before they’re available to the public. Once available, many health experts and organizations continuously monitor vaccines to ensure their ongoing safety and effectiveness. 
   • Thimerosal is appearing more frequently in the news cycle, causing concern among parents and caregivers. Also known as ethylmercury, thimerosal is a preservative used in some types of influenza vaccines that the human body can process with minimal risk. Ethylmercury is sometimes confused with methylmercury, a higher-risk mercury compound that is not used in vaccines.
   • There is no scientific evidence that thimerosal is harmful. Nevertheless, thimerosal is not used in any vaccine on the AAP’s childhood vaccination schedule. For more information about thimerosal, visit PHCC’s “Vaccine Development, Safety, and Effectiveness” topic page.
2. Effectiveness: Without vaccines, children and their adult caregivers are at higher risk for the serious side effects of preventable diseases, including disability and death. Among children born between 1994 and 2023, routine childhood vaccinations prevented: 
   • 508 million cases of illness 
   • 32 million hospitalizations 
   • 1.13 million deaths

Side Effects

1. The most common side effects of pediatric vaccines are very minor, such as mild pain and swelling in the area where the shot was given, a low-grade fever, and irritability. 
2. Severe allergic reactions may also occur, but they are very rare. 

Staying on Schedule

1. Document each vaccine your child receives and keep these records in a safe place. Keeping track of your child’s progress within the immunization schedule helps ensure your child stays healthy. 
   • Additionally, your child may need to show documentation of their vaccines to go to school and after-school activities, travel abroad, and apply for certain jobs.  
2. If you do not have your child’s immunization records: contact the doctor(s) and/or clinic(s) who have previously given your child vaccines. You can also contact your state’s immunization registry or your child’s school. 
3. If you cannot find your child’s immunization records: talk to a healthcare provider about the best next steps for keeping your child safe and healthy.