As they have been doing for over seventy years, the American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a recommended immunization schedule for our children and teens.
So has the CDC.
Not surprisingly, they are not the same this year…
For one thing, the CDC is no longer getting approval from the American Academy of Pediatrics for their schedule!
The CDC immunization schedule for adults also conflicts with the recommendations of other experts, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
That means we now have a few different immunization schedules this year.
Which one should you and your provider follow?
Let’s take a look at the differences and see which one will protect you and your family…
The AAP Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for 2026
First, there is the Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization
Schedule for Ages 18 Years or Younger from the AAP.
“The schedule represents formal recommendations from the AAP for routine immunizations for infants, children and adolescents against 18 diseases. The schedule published Aug. 19 includes updated recommendations for RSV, influenza, and COVID-19 immunizations for pediatric populations.
In addition to the updated recommendations for the three respiratory viruses, the schedule incorporates recent updates regarding pentavalent meningococcal vaccine, the starting age of the Human Papilloma Virus vaccine, and removal of a hepatitis vaccine that is no longer available. “
The American Academy of Pediatrics Releases Its Own Evidence-Based Immunization Schedule
For one thing, the AAP immunization schedule, which was updated in February 2026, added Enflonsia (clesrovimab), the newest RSV monoclonal antibody for infants.
Enflonsia was left off the CDC schedule, even though it was approved by the FDA, recommended by ACIP, and adopted by the acting CDC director before the schedule was issued.
All infants, unless their mother had received an RSV vaccine during pregnancy, should receive either Beyfortus or Enflonsia during RSV season if they are less than 8 months old. Certain high risk infants can get a dose of Beyfortus during their second RSV season too.
Of course, one of the biggest difference between the two schedules is that the AAP continues to recommend a COVID vaccine for all children between the ages of 6 and 23 months, high risk children, and others if their parents want them to be protected.
“The AAP also recommends the vaccine be available for children ages 2-18 who do not fall into these risk groups, but whose parent or guardian desires them to have the protection of the vaccine.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics Releases Its Own Evidence-Based Immunization Schedule
This is in big contrast to the immunization schedule from the CDC, which only recommends COVID vaccines for high risk children and leaves infants and toddlers unprotected.
The AAP schedule also continues to recommend that all children are vaccinated and protected with the rotavirus, influenza, meningococcal, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B vaccines. This is unlike the CDC schedule, which moves these vaccines to a shared decision-making model, recommending them only for certain high risk groups.
The ACOG Immunization Schedule of 2026
Although they didn’t issue a formal immunization schedule, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists did also make recommendations that were sharply different from those of the CDC.
“While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently removed its recommendation that pregnant and lactating individuals receive updated COVID-19 vaccines, ACOG’s recommendations have not changed. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists continues to recommend the use of updated COVID-19 vaccines in individuals contemplating pregnancy and in pregnant, recently pregnant, and lactating individuals.”
COVID-19 Vaccination Considerations for Obstetric–Gynecologic Care
Most importantly, ACOG continues to recommend that all pregnant and lactating mothers get an updated COVID vaccine.
“Infants aged less than 6 months are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease but are not yet eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, and they depend on transplacental transfer of maternal antibodies for protection.”
COVID-19 Vaccination Considerations for Obstetric–Gynecologic Care
As with the AAP immunization schedule, ACOG also recommends that infants receive either nirsevimab or clesrovimab during RSV season if their mother wasn’t appropriately vaccinated.
And of course, ACOG continues to recommend flu and Tdap vaccines for pregnant women.
These recommendations are echoed by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), who also “strongly recommends that all individuals who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or postpartum receive the recommended vaccines to protect themselves and their babies from serious illness.”
And the American Academy of Family Physicians:
“Vaccines are safe, effective and save lives. The COVID-19 vaccine has significantly reduced hospitalizations and deaths across all age groups. The recent announcement of intended changes to the recommended immunization schedule for children and pregnant persons circumvents the established process for vaccine review and recommendations and, if fully implemented, would be a dangerous setback.”
AAFP Responds to Intended Changes in Immunization Schedule
Who echoes the latest recommendations of the CDC immunization schedule?
They are not only echoed, but were likely created by RFK Jr, who has been campaigning against COVID vaccines for years.
His schedule, while likely satisfying his MAHA followers, will not protect us, as we will unfortunately see if there is a new COVID surge and as flu deaths continue to rise.
Ironically, RFK Jr is also wrong about liability protection if folks decide to follow the advice of their pediatrician or gynecologist and get a COVID vaccine!
“AAP should also be candid with doctors and hospitals that recommendations that diverge from the CDC’s official list are not shielded from liability under the 1986 Vaccine Injury Act.”
Secretary Kennedy
For one thing, COVID vaccines are covered under the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP), not the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program created by the 1986 Vaccine Injury Act.
And liability protection has nothing to do with being on the CDC schedule!
To be shielded from liability, a non-COVID vaccine just has to be listed in the Vaccine Injury Table.
“If the first symptom of these injuries and/or conditions occurs within the specified time periods and the injury meets the definition included in the Table, it is presumed that the vaccine caused the injury or condition unless another cause is proven. This applies even if a covered vaccine is administered “off-label” or contrary to CDC or Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices recommendations.”
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Covered Vaccines
By vaccinating and protecting their patients, providers are continuing to following standard of care guidelines and would be protected from liability.
His shared decision-making model is also flawed, as many parents have become overly influenced by anti-vaccine influencers.
Which Immunization Schedule Should You Follow?
Still wondering which immunization schedule to follow?
As cases of measles and other vaccine preventable diseases keep rising, hopefully you have a pediatric provider who can help guide you to a decision that best protects your family.
More on Immunization Schedules
- Immunization Schedules from Other Countries
- Why Are Vaccine Schedules Different in Each Country?
- Is Bobby Kennedy Going to Take Hep B and Flu Vaccines Off of the Immunization Schedule?
- The American Academy of Pediatrics Releases Its Own Evidence-Based Immunization Schedule
- All About the AAP Recommended Immunization Schedule
- How Vaccine Schedules Changed Over Time & Why
- ACOG Releases Updated Maternal Immunization Guidance for COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV
- ACOG – COVID-19 Vaccination Considerations for Obstetric–Gynecologic Care
- ACOG – Maternal Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccination
- American College of Nurse-Midwives Statement on Maternal Immunization: Updated July 2025
- CDC –
Vaccine Schedules For You and Your Family - AAFP Responds to Intended Changes in Immunization Schedule
- Why the American Academy of Pediatrics is diverging from CDC vaccine guidelines
- AAP Friends of Children Fund Funded Projects
- White House misleads on vaccine schedule as CDC changes US recommendations
- National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Covered Vaccines
- Communicating About Shared Clinical Decision-Making
- Confusion surrounds CDC’s ‘shared clinical decision-making’ paradigm for childhood vaccines
- RFK Jr. Decimates Vaccine Schedule
Last Updated on February 10, 2026
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