Key takeaways: In January 2026, the CDC changed the childhood schedule. A federal court paused that change in March 2026, and the case is on appeal. The AAP’s 2026 schedule, which most pediatricians follow, recommends the same routine infant vaccines as before. Ask your pediatrician which schedule they use.
If you’ve tried to look up your baby’s vaccine schedule this year, you may have found conflicting information. Here’s a plain-language summary of where things stand as of October 2026, and what’s recommended in the first year.
What Happened in 2025 and 2026
- 2025: The CDC’s vaccine advisory committee was reconstituted, and several recommendations changed, including, in December 2025, a vote to stop universally recommending the hepatitis B birth dose for babies of parents who test negative.
- January 2026: The CDC issued a revised childhood schedule that moved several vaccines, including rotavirus, influenza, COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and meningococcal vaccines, to “shared clinical decision-making” or risk-based categories.
- March 16, 2026: A federal court in Massachusetts, in American Academy of Pediatrics v. Kennedy, stayed (paused) the revised schedule and related committee actions, and the CDC restored its earlier schedule.
- Since then: The federal government appealed, and an executive order in May 2026 directed further review of the schedule. As of mid-October 2026, the appeals court had heard arguments but not ruled.
Because this is still changing, the CDC’s official schedule could change again depending on the courts. Check with your pediatrician for the latest.
What the AAP Recommends
The American Academy of Pediatrics publishes its own evidence-based schedule, and most pediatricians follow it. The AAP’s recommendations for routine infant vaccines did not change in 2026, and they currently match the CDC schedule that’s in effect.
From the author
From First Breath to First Birthday is my month-by-month guide to your baby’s first year, written as a NICU and postpartum nurse. My book covers common first-year illnesses and the warning signs that mean it’s time to call the doctor, explained the way I’d explain them at the bedside.
First-Year Vaccines (AAP 2026 Schedule)
Birth:
- Hepatitis B (first dose).
- RSV antibody (nirsevimab or clesrovimab) during RSV season, if not protected by a vaccine in pregnancy.
1 to 2 months:
- Hepatitis B (second dose).
2 months:
- DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis).
- Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b).
- PCV (pneumococcal).
- IPV (polio).
- Rotavirus (oral).
4 months:
- Second doses of DTaP, Hib, PCV, IPV, and rotavirus.
6 months:
- DTaP and PCV (third doses).
- Hib and rotavirus (depending on brand).
- Hepatitis B (third dose, between 6 and 18 months).
- IPV (third dose, between 6 and 18 months).
- Influenza (yearly, starting at 6 months; two doses the first season).
- COVID-19 (the AAP recommends vaccination for children 6 through 23 months).
12 to 15 months:
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella).
- Varicella (chickenpox).
- Hepatitis A (first dose, 12 to 23 months).
- Final doses of Hib and PCV.
Insurance and Access
As of October 2026, reports indicate that the Vaccines for Children program and insurance coverage for routine childhood vaccines have continued. If you have questions about cost, ask your pediatrician’s office or your insurer. Some states have also issued their own recommendations.
Why the Schedule Is Timed This Way
The infant schedule is designed to protect babies during the period when they’re most vulnerable to serious infections. A review by the National Academies found no evidence that the recommended schedule as a whole is unsafe.
Talking With Your Pediatrician
It’s normal to have questions. Good ones to ask:
- Which schedule does your practice follow?
- What does this vaccine protect against, and how common is that disease now?
- What side effects should I expect?
- What should I watch for after shots?
The Bottom Line
Federal guidance has been in flux in 2026, but the AAP’s recommendations for your baby’s first-year vaccines haven’t changed. Talk with your pediatrician, who can give you the most current advice for your baby.
Want more support for your baby’s first year? My book, From First Breath to First Birthday, is available on Amazon.
Related Articles
Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for Ages 18 Years or Younger, United States, 2026. https://www.aap.org
- American Academy of Pediatrics. AAP Immunization FAQs. Accessed October 2026. https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/immunizations/aap-immunization-faq/
- Congressional Research Service. The 2026 Childhood Immunization Schedule. R48982. June 11, 2026. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R48982
- Congressional Research Service. Changes to CDC Vaccine Recommendations in 2025 and 2026. IN12684. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IN12684
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule by Age. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-schedules/child-adolescent-age.html
- Institute of Medicine. The Childhood Immunization Schedule and Safety: Stakeholder Concerns, Scientific Evidence, and Future Studies. National Academies Press; 2013.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always talk with your baby’s health care provider or your own provider about your specific situation. If you think your baby or you may have a medical emergency, call 911.
