With recent changes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding which routine vaccines children and teens should get, it’s only natural that there might be some confusion.
In January 2026, the CDC released a new vaccine schedule that reduces the number of vaccines, from 17 to 11, it recommends for children and teens to protect against diseases like measles and polio.
In August 2026, a new executive order, Gold Standard Childhood Vaccine Recommendations, established additional federal vaccine recommendations. The order maintains a three-tier approach, with some immunizations recommended for all children, some for certain high-risk groups and others based on shared clinical decision-making. Federal agencies were directed to review the recommendations and take steps to advance them.
[READ: Vaccinations and Immunizations Recommended for Adults]
CDC Vaccine Changes vs. Medical Pushback: What Parents Need to Know
The CDC’s shift to high-risk status and shared clinical decision-making applies to vaccines for:
— COVID-19
— Hepatitis A
— Hepatitis B
— Meningococcal disease (MenB)
Why the AAP, AMA and medical groups object
The vaccine guidance from the CDC veers away from existing guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which advocates a more comprehensive vaccine schedule for children and teens.
— Broad consensus: The 2026 AAP vaccination guidance has been formally endorsed by 12 medical organizations, including the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. More than 230 medical and health organizations support the updated AAP immunization schedule, the AAP reported in February 2026. Following the August executive order, the AMA reiterated its support for the AAP childhood immunization schedule.
— Focus on evidence: “Decisions about how and when vaccines are used should be driven by rigorous scientific evidence, patient safety and independent medical and public health expertise,” AMA President Dr. Willie Underwood III said in a statement.
Due to a lawsuit filed by the AAP, a court order has temporarily blocked the CDC’s reductions, meaning the CDC is technically still using its older, more comprehensive 2025 schedule.
The impact: Vaccine hesitancy and rising illnesses
The conflicting messaging from federal and medical authorities can create confusion for parents, leading to potentially reduced vaccination rates.
“Parents and families rely on a coordinated message from authorities they trust, whether it’s the CDC or the AAP,” says Dr. Graham Tse, a board-certified pediatrician and chief medical officer of MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital in Long Beach, California. “This (disagreement) leads to lower vaccination uptake, vaccine hesitancy and ultimately, fewer vaccines.”
As of August 13, 2026, the CDC reported 2,566 confirmed measles cases in the U.S. in 2026. In 2025, there were 2,289 confirmed cases, which was the highest total since 1991.
[READ: How Do I Find the Best Pediatrician for My Child?]
Vaccine Guidance for Your Children
Recent vaccine recommendation changes can make it difficult to find reliable information about which vaccines your children need.
“It’s even confusing for myself as a pediatrician. My advice is to stop, pause and take a breath. There are resources and help,” Tse says.
The best first step is to meet with your child’s physician and find out which vaccines they think your child needs.
“Speaking with your trusted pediatrician and asking any questions in a personal setting is the best way to get the information from someone you can trust who knows your child,” says Dr. Katharine Clouser, a pediatric hospitalist with Hackensack Meridian Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey.
[See: Common Childhood Respiratory Diseases.]
Vaccine Safety, Side Effects and Monitoring
The question people have started to ask is: Are vaccines safe and effective? The answer is: Yes.
Between 1994 and 2023, childhood vaccines prevented an estimated 508 million illnesses, 32 million hospitalizations and 1.13 million deaths, according to a 2024 report from the CDC.
Managing side effects vs. when to call the doctor
A major driver of vaccine hesitancy is fear of adverse reactions. This chart helps parents distinguish between normal immune responses and rare, serious symptoms.
| Normal Post-Vaccine Signs (Expect These) | Signs to Call Your Pediatrician |
| — Redness, swelling or soreness at the injection site
— Mild fussiness or tiredness — Low-grade fever (under 101°F or 38.3°C) |
— High fever that doesn’t come down with medicine
— Extreme lethargy or trouble waking up — Signs of an allergic reaction (hives, facial swelling, wheezing) — Crying inconsolably for more than 3 hours |
“Parents can administer acetaminophen after the vaccines if needed for some of these side effects,” says Dr. Danelle Fisher, a board-certified pediatrician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.
Is Spacing Out Vaccines OK?
While the August executive order recommends that childhood immunizations be administered at separate medical visits “to the maximum extent feasible,” medical experts recommend not spacing vaccines out for the following reasons:
— Spacing leaves your child vulnerable if they’re exposed to a virus or bacteria and don’t have protection for it.
— It doesn’t increase vaccine uptake or effectiveness by the immune system.
— It doesn’t lessen the chance of side effects.
— You’ll likely have to return to the provider’s office for more shots, which could be even more stressful for your child. Plus, those extra appointments may fall off your schedule as life gets in the way.
“If a baby were to have a side effect, we would likely be able to figure it out,” says Dr. Molly O’Shea, an AAP spokesperson and a pediatrician with Birmingham Pediatrics + Wellness Center in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. “Getting the vaccines as scheduled is the sweet spot for protection, timing and immune stimulation.”
15 Recommended Vaccines for Children
Here are the vaccines recommended by the AAP, the CDC or both.
| Vaccine | AAP Guidance | CDC Guidance (Updated) |
| RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) | Recommended within 1 week of birth if mother lacks prior protection or status is unknown | Recommended within 1 week of birth if mother lacks prior protection or status is unknown |
| Hepatitis B (HepB) | Recommended for all infants at birth (3 doses) | Shared clinical decision-making; routine only for high-risk infants (3 doses) |
| Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B) | Recommended routinely starting at 2 months (3 or 4 doses) | Recommended routinely starting at 2 months (3 or 4 doses) |
| Pneumococcal (PCV15, PCV20) | Recommended routinely starting at 2 months (4 doses) | Recommended routinely starting at 2 months (4 doses) |
| Polio (Inactivated Poliovirus — IPV) | Recommended routinely starting at 2 months (4 doses) | Recommended routinely starting at 2 months (4 doses) |
| Rotavirus | Recommended routinely for all infants (2 or 3 doses) | Moved to shared clinical decision-making; first dose recommended to start at 2 months (2 or 3 doses) |
| COVID-19 | Recommended routinely (6+ months, annual) | Moved to shared clinical decision-making |
| Influenza (Flu) | Recommended routinely (6+ months, 1 or 2 doses) | Moved to shared clinical decision-making; first dose recommended to start at 6 months (1 or 2 doses) |
| MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) | Recommended routinely starting at 1 year old (2 doses) | Recommended routinely starting at 1 year old (2 doses) |
| Hepatitis A | Recommended routinely at 1 year old (2 doses) | Shared clinical decision-making; recommended to start at 1 year old (2 doses) |
| Chickenpox (Varicella) | Recommended routinely starting at 1 year old (2 doses) | Recommended routinely starting at 1 year old (2 doses) |
| DTaP / Tdap | Recommended routinely (DTaP starting at 2 months; Tdap booster around age 11 or 12) | Recommended routinely (DTaP starting at 2 months; Tdap booster around age 11 or 12) |
| HPV (Human Papillomavirus) | Recommended starting at age 9 to 12 as a two-dose series | Recommended starting at age 11 to 12 as an updated one-dose series |
| Meningococcal (MenACWY & MenB) | Recommended routinely for all teens, starting at age 11 or 12 (MenACWY series); shared clinical decision-making started at age 16 for MenB | Recommended routinely for all teens, starting at age 11 or 12 (MenACWY series); shared clinical decision-making started at age 16 for MenB |
| Dengue | Recommended only for children living in endemic areas with prior lab-confirmed infection | Recommended only for children living in endemic areas with prior lab-confirmed infection |
1. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV-mAb)
RSV is a viral infection that usually affects the nose and throat but also can affect the lungs. It’s especially serious for infants and young children, although its initial symptoms are similar to a cold.
Before the RSV vaccine was introduced, it was the top cause of infant hospitalization, according to the CDC.
Much like the flu, RSV has a season that runs from October to March and peaks during the winter.
RSV vaccine schedule for children
RSV may be one of the first two vaccines your child is given, as it’s recommended to be given within one week after your child is born. However, a maternal vaccine during weeks 32 to 36 of pregnancy can protect a child from RSV.
2. Hepatitis B (HepB)
The vaccine for hepatitis B protects against a viral type of liver infection that can lead to liver failure, liver cancer and death.
HepB vaccine schedule for children
A HepB vaccine is recommended to be given within 24 hours of birth, with two more doses being given before 18 months, for a total of three doses. The CDC has also designated this vaccine for shared clinical decision-making.
3. Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib)
Hib is a bacterial infection that can affect different parts of the body, including the brain and spinal cord. It can lead to meningitis (a severe type of inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord) and pneumonia.
Hib is highly contagious, as its symptoms appear after a person is already contagious. Outbreaks of Hib at a daycare or in the home can be very dangerous, which is one major reason why this vaccine is recommended.
Hib vaccine schedule for children
The Hib vaccine is another two-month vaccine, and it’s given in three or four doses with the final dose being given before 18 months.
4. Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV15, PCV20)
The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine fights against the pneumococcal infection, or various types of pneumonia that can affect a child’s bloodstream, ears, lungs or sinuses. Although the pneumococcal conjugate can’t prevent all types of pneumonia, it fights against the most serious types.
PCV vaccine schedule for children
The pneumococcal vaccine is recommended at two months of age, and is given in a set of four doses before 18 months.
5. Inactivated Poliovirus (IPV)
The inactivated poliovirus vaccine fights against polio disease, a viral infection that can affect the brain and nerves. It can lead to paralysis and death.
Some people may recall polio cases from when they were younger, with severe patients having to use an iron lung to breathe. Since the polio vaccine was introduced in 1955, it’s been nearly eradicated globally. Cases have decreased by 99% since the late 1980s, according to the World Health Organization.
IPV vaccine schedule for children
Starting at two months, and given in four doses (3 before the age of 18 months, one final dose between four and six years).
6. Rotavirus
Rotavirus is a viral infection affecting the gut that can cause severe diarrhea. It’s the leading cause of diarrheal disease in children, and before the development of the vaccine, nearly every child in the United States would have a rotavirus infection before the age of five.
Rotavirus vaccine schedule for children
Starting at two months, the rotavirus vaccine is given in either two or three doses depending on the brand given. The CDC has also designated this vaccine for shared clinical decision-making.
7. COVID-19
COVID-19’s potential impact is no mystery. It’s caused by a virus, and while it’s no longer dictating our day-to-day lives, COVID is still a very dangerous disease, especially for young children and for older adults.
COVID-19 vaccine schedule for children
COVID-19 vaccination can start at six months and be repeated yearly. The CDC, however, has designated this vaccine for shared clinical decision-making.
[READ: Is It Safe to Take the COVID-19 Vaccine and the Flu Shot at the Same Time?]
8. Influenza
The influenza, or flu, vaccine protects against this viral infection of the nose, throat and lungs. It can lead to pneumonia, sinus and ear infections or death. Every year, the flu vaccine is updated based on predictions of which strains will be prevalent each flu season.
Flu vaccine schedule for children
Vaccination can start at six months and be repeated yearly, though the CDC has designated this vaccine for shared clinical decision-making.
9. Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
The MMR vaccine fights against three viral infections: Measles, mumps and rubella (also called German measles).
Both measles and mumps can lead to brain swelling and death, and mumps also can lead to deafness.
Rubella is particularly harmful for pregnant women as it can cause a miscarriage, stillbirth or severe birth defects.
MMR vaccine schedule for children
Two doses, starting at age 1.
The August executive order, however, recommends that measles, mumps and rubella eventually be administered as separate single-disease vaccines once those products are available. The order also calls for a federal plan that would maintain the availability of combination vaccines.
10. Hepatitis A
The hepatitis A vaccine protects against hepatitis A, a viral infection that can lead to liver failure or death.
Hepatitis A vaccine schedule for children
This two-dose series is recommended at one year of age, or possibly younger in certain situations. The CDC has also designated this vaccine for shared clinical decision-making.
11. Chickenpox (Varicella)
The varicella vaccine protects against chickenpox, which can cause brain swelling, pneumonia or death.
Chickenpox is also known for its familiar spot-like rash blisters. Chickenpox spreads easily in the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks or if someone touches infected blisters.
Chickenpox vaccine schedule for children
Two doses, starting at 1 year of age.
12. Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis
This vaccine is called DTaP for younger children. Tdap refers to the reduced-strength booster for older children.
The DTaP vaccine protects against three different infections:
— Diphtheria is caused by a bacteria that can affect the nose, throat or skin. It can lead to swelling of the heart, heart failure or even death.
— Tetanus, also called lockjaw, is an infection caused by bacteria. It can affect the brain and nerves and possibly lead to seizures, breathing problems or death.
— Acellular pertussis, better known as whooping cough, is a type of contagious bacterial infection that’s especially harmful for babies. It affects the lungs and airways and can lead to pneumonia or death.
DTaP vaccine schedule for children
DTaP is the full-strength version of the vaccine, given in four or five doses starting at 2 months of age. The Tdap booster is administered around age 11 or 12.
13. HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
Human papillomavirus is a type of viral infection spread during sex and close skin-to-skin contact. It can cause genital warts and several types of cancers, including cervical, penile and throat cancer. Getting the vaccine can prevent more than 90% of the cancers caused by HPV, according to the CDC. Since the vaccine was introduced, the number of precancers in vaccinated women has decreased by 40%, the CDC reports. There has also been a decrease in the number of genital warts cases since the vaccine was introduced in 2006.
HPV vaccine schedule for children
Given starting at 9 to 12 years (AAP guidance) as part of a two-dose series or 11 to 12 years (CDC guidance) as part of a one-dose series.
14. Meningococcal Disease (MenACWY and MenB)
Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that can lead to brain swelling (meningitis) or infection in the bloodstream, also called sepsis. Symptoms can come on quickly and be life-threatening. There are two main types of vaccines:
— MenACWY vaccine, which protects against A, C, W and Y serogroups
— MenB vaccine, which protects against serogroup B disease
MenACWY and MenB vaccine schedule for children
MenACWY is a two-dose series that’s usually recommended for children starting at age 11, but can be given much earlier in certain situations. Both the AAP and CDC suggest shared clinical decision-making for the MenB vaccine.
15. Dengue
The dengue vaccine protects against an infection that spreads via an infected mosquito. It can lead to liver or heart damage, seizures and death.
Dengue vaccine schedule for children
Both the CDC and AAP recommend this vaccine for children living in areas where dengue is endemic (more common) and who have a previous laboratory confirmation of dengue infection. The affected areas include American Samoa, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Where to Find Vaccines If They Aren’t at the Provider’s Office
If your child’s provider is out of a certain vaccine or doesn’t offer vaccines, there are other places where you can turn. These include:
— Your local Department of Health
— Community vaccination events
— Some urgent care centers
— Vaccine events held at local schools
— Your local pharmacies (though there may be some age restrictions)
Bottom Line
While conflicting guidance from top health institutions can make decisions difficult, it’s important to remember that you and your child’s doctor both have the same goal: Keeping your child safe and healthy. Work with your child’s provider to learn more about vaccinations, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
“We want to hear what you’re thinking. We won’t judge you or assume you’re ‘anti-vax’ if you have questions, so please ask,” O’Shea says.
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Childhood and Teen Vaccinations originally appeared on usnews.com
Update 08/14/26: This story was previously published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.
