Changes to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule in May 2025 have raised concerns among clinicians, as these changes were made without following standard review procedures. This has led healthcare providers to seek a schedule that maintains rigorous scientific standards.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which has published its own childhood immunization schedule since the 1930s, announced that it will diverge from the CDC’s schedule for the first time in decades. Since 1995, both organizations had harmonized their schedules, but the AAP now states it will continue recommending vaccines based on the best available data.
A key difference between the two schedules involves recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination in children. The CDC now lists COVID-19 vaccination under shared clinical decision-making, while the AAP continues to recommend routine vaccination. According to the AAP, “The AAP recommendation is supported by CDC data showing that completing a primary COVID-19 vaccine series reduces illness and hospitalization in children.”
Healthcare providers can access the AAP’s immunization schedule online, including updates when new vaccines are added between annual publications.
In addition, the Vaccine Integrity Project (VIP) is set to evaluate data related to fall respiratory viruses over the coming weeks. Several professional organizations plan to use this information to develop recommendations for their specific populations. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has also issued a statement regarding its joint efforts with VIP.
“Healthcare providers have open access to the AAP’s schedule, including timely addenda for any vaccines added between annual publications,” according to Lori Handy, MD, MSCE , and Charlotte A. Moser, MS.
Further updates on these developments are expected in future issues of Vaccine Update.
