American Academy of Pediatrics releases childhood vaccine recommendations that differ from CDC
Updated on: January 27, 2026 / 9:25 AM EST / CBS News
TL;DR
- The AAP's new vaccine recommendations cover 18 diseases, while the CDC's revised guidance covers 11.
- The AAP continues to recommend vaccines for RSV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rotavirus, influenza, and meningococcal disease for all children.
- The CDC recommended only high-risk children receive vaccines for RSV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, dengue, meningococcal ACWY, and meningococcal B.
- The AAP considers the CDC's changes "dangerous and unnecessary."
- Both organizations still recommend vaccines for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Hib, pneumococcal conjugate, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, HPV, and varicella.
- The AAP and CDC have historically worked together on vaccine recommendations, making this divergence unprecedented.
- Pediatricians will follow AAP recommendations and encourage open communication with families.
- Insurance will continue to cover vaccines no longer broadly recommended by the CDC, such as flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
- A recent CDC recommendation change involved delaying the first hepatitis B vaccine dose for some newborns.
- HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that vaccine availability and insurance coverage remain unchanged, though he suggested fewer people might get the flu vaccine.