The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), in coordination with its partners in the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA), endorses the 2026 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule. This schedule differs from recent national changes issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
The 2026 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Immunization recommendations are similar to previous recommendations issued by AAP, adopted by CDPH, and endorsed by the West Coast Health Alliance. CDPH will continue to adopt the most recent AAP immunization recommendations for California pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 120164. This updated 2026 AAP Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule will be posted on the CDPH immunizations recommendations website.
“The United States achieved elimination status for measles in 2000 with high vaccination rates. Now, we're seeing the highest numbers of measles cases, outbreaks, hospitalizations and deaths than we’ve seen in more than 30 years, driven by populations with low vaccination rates.” said Dr. Erica Pan, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer. “We are at risk of losing our measles elimination status, and we all need to work together to share the medical evidence, benefits, and safety of vaccines to provide families the information they need to protect children and our communities."
CDPH has also issued separate recommendations for mpox vaccine to increase access for that vaccine to adolescents at increased risk of infection. Because the 2026 AAP recommendations are essentially unchanged from prior CDPH recommendations, health insurance coverage in California will continue to cover these recommended vaccines. If parents have questions about the effectiveness and safety of vaccines, they should discuss with their healthcare provider.
