American College of Physicians (ACP) is warning that recent federal changes to introduce a new, more limited vaccination schedule for US children based on the Danish childhood vaccine schedule abandons long‑standing, science‑based standards and could put children at risk. ACP is supporting the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) independently developed 2026 schedule, which it says better reflects evidence on effectiveness and safety and current disease epidemiology. The paper is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
To maintain science‑driven guidance, ACP’s Immunization Committee reviewed the AAP’s independently produced 2026 schedule. ACP concluded that the AAP recommendations are more evidence based than the current CDC recommendations, particularly in three key areas: expanded options for protecting infants from RSV, targeted COVID‑19 vaccination based on updated risk patterns, and earlier initiation of HPV vaccination. ACP argues that these evidence‑based updates better protect children and support public health than the CDC’s newly issued guidance. The authors also note that it’s important for internal medicine physicians to address childhood vaccination because well vaccinated children are an essential component of a population health strategy and adult patients often ask their own physicians’ views on issues related to their children’s health.
