New York State and New York City Health Departments Endorse 2026 American Academy of Pediatrics Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule

American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) Science-Based Recommendations Protect Children Against Preventable Diseases

Vaccines Continue to be Covered by Insurance

New York State and New York City School Immunization Requirements​ Remain Unchanged

Albany, N.Y. (January 29, 2026) - The New York State Department of Health and the New York City Department of Health announced their official endorsement of the 2026 childhood and adolescent immunization schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This evidence-based schedule recommends routine immunization for protection against 18 preventable diseases including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rotavirus, influenza and meningococcal disease. The Departments of Health encourage all medical providers and families to use the AAP schedule to protect their patients and children.

"Families all across New York State can rest assured that our immunization policies will continue to be aligned with science and evidence-based research that will provide our children and communities with the best protection against diseases that are entirely preventable," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "The Department continues to recommend vaccination in alignment with the American Academy of Pediatrics and remains committed to providing clear, science-based guidance and ensuring access to childhood vaccines for all families."

NYC Health Department Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Toni Eyssallenne said, " At a time of so much uncertainty and confusion, it is essential that New York families receive accurate and evidence-based information when making life saving decisions. As a pediatrician, I have seen first-hand how a lack of vaccines can have detrimental consequences to an entire community. Today, alongside our state partners, the NYC Health Department is affirming our recommendations for all New Yorkers and endorsing the 2026 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations for life saving vaccines."

The Departments reviewed the update and confirmed that the recommendations remain consistent with the AAP's 2025 schedule, with minor changes. There are no changes to New York State and New York City school immunization requirements and related policies, vaccine access, insurance coverage or the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC).

The Departments issued a joint letter to providers and health care associations on January 28 informing them of this endorsement and encouraging them to continue their partnership in safeguarding the health and well-being of New York's children.

Immunization requirements are set to ensure that students, teachers and their families are protected. The age of administration and appropriate intervals between vaccine doses for immunizations are determined through rigorous scientific research and put into a schedule by national advisory groups and medical associations like the AAP.

The 2026 AAP recommendations were published on January 26, 2026. While they remain largely consistent with prior AAP guidance issued in August 2025, they differ from the recently updated immunization schedule published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Recent changes to the CDC immunization schedule depart from longstanding scientific evidence and are unfounded and unreliable. By contrast, the AAP childhood and adolescent immunization schedules continue to recommend immunizations based on rigorous research and the specific disease risks and health care delivery context in the U.S.

The AAP schedule has been formally endorsed by 12 leading medical and health care organizations: American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM), American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), American Medical Association (AMA), American Pharmacists Association (APhA), Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS), Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP), National Medical Association (NMA), Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS), Pediatric Pharmacy Association (PPA) and Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM).

Families can find information and schedules at healthychildren.org/immunizationschedules.

Providers can access the AAP schedule at aap.org/ImmunizationSchedule.

The 2025-2026 School Year NYS Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/Attendance can be found here and remain unchanged.

Visit the State Health Department's Childhood And Adolescent Immunization webpage here to learn more.

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