Allegheny County Physicians Weigh In on New Immunization Schedule

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) revised the U.S. childhood immunization schedule. The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD), the Allegheny County Medical Society (ACMS), and the Allegheny County Immunization Coalition (ACIC) are closely monitoring these changes that represent a significant departure from decades of evidence-based, expert-driven public health practice.

For generations, the childhood immunization schedule has been regarded as the gold standard of preventive medicine, which is carefully developed through transparent processes, rigorous scientific review, and broad consensus among independent experts. Weakening or removing universal recommendations without clear, compelling evidence sends a confusing message to parents, clinicians, and communities.

Vaccines recommended for all children are not arbitrary. Moving away from universal guidance introduces avoidable gaps in protection and disproportionately harms families and communities that already face barriers to care. The concern is not whether vaccines remain technically available, but how changes in recommendation structure affect uptake, timing, and equity in real-world health systems.

“Vaccines remain one of the most effective tools we have to prevent serious illness and protect our communities,” said Dr. Lulia Vann, Allegheny County Public Health Director. “While national guidance has shifted in how recommendations are categorized, the science behind vaccines has not changed. We continue to strongly encourage families to talk with trusted healthcare providers and make informed decisions that keep children, families, and communities healthy.”

Recent changes to the immunization schedule were informed in part by comparisons to vaccination practices in approximately 20 other countries. While international comparisons can provide useful perspective, they reflect only a fraction of the full context. These countries operate under fundamentally different healthcare systems, legal frameworks, population health policies, and approaches to universal medical guidance and access. Differences in social safety nets, primary care integration, public trust, and disease surveillance significantly influence how immunization policies function in practice.

“The childhood immunization schedule has been about science, equity, and protecting every child,” Dr. Vann added. “Departing from long-standing, evidence-based recommendations deters public trust and weakens the very foundation of public health that communities rely on in moments of uncertainty.”

Major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians, continue to recommend routine childhood immunization against the diseases affected by this change. ACHD and ACIC remain aligned with the overwhelming consensus of pediatric, medical, and public health organizations that support strong, universal vaccine recommendations grounded in the best available science.

ACHD, ACMS, and ACIC will continue to promote and support evidence-based immunization practices for all children in Allegheny County and will continue working closely with healthcare providers, schools, and community partners to ensure families receive clear, accurate information and that children remain protected from preventable diseases.

The commitment of ACHD, ACMS, and ACIC remains steadfast: to protect the health and safety of every child in Allegheny County and to uphold the scientific integrity and public trust that effective public health requires.