What vaccine schedule does my care team recommend?
Mass General Brigham will follow the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH) and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (NHDHHS) vaccine guidance. These recommendations align with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) immunization schedule.
Vaccines on the AAP schedule have been carefully studied for many years. They are supported by strong scientific evidence. There is no new research showing that these vaccines are unsafe or do not work. Thus, we believe this vaccine schedule is safest and provides the best protection against disease when children need it most and their immune systems respond best.
How are the APP schedule and CDC schedule different?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends 18 vaccines for all children. In January of 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reduced the number of recommended vaccines for all children from 18 to 11. The other 7 remain on the schedule but are recommended after discussion with a health care provider or for certain groups of children.
Why did they change it?
The justifications were related to increasing flexibility and shared decision-making for families. The CDC also aligned the recommendations with other high-income countries. Vaccine schedules are different around the world because diseases are more common in some places, some vaccines are not available everywhere, and countries compare the cost of vaccines to the cost of treating the disease.
Usually, the vaccine schedule is reviewed by a group of experts, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and then jointly approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. That process was not followed for this change.
Are vaccines safe?
Vaccines have been studied for many years and are recommended by national experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, and Infectious Disease Society of America.
Childhood and adolescent vaccines are thoroughly tested for safety before approval and continue to be closely monitored as millions of children receive them. Vaccines protect children from serious diseases caused by viruses and bacteria.
What about vaccines required for school?
School immunization requirements are determined by the state.
Will I have to pay for any of these vaccines?
As of December 31, 2025, all the vaccines recommended by the CDC remain fully covered by most insurance plans.
Updated February 9, 2026