Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recently announced in a press release that it will take on the 2026 immunization schedule, recently issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), for children and adolescents.

Informed by the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee‘s (IL-IAC) recommendations, the announcement provides strong backing for other recent actions taken by the Pritzker administration to protect the health and well-being of families, children, and communities statewide.

Within this press release, Governor Pritzker said “As Governor, the health and safety of all Illinoisans is my top priority. While Donald Trump and RFK Jr. undermine science, spread dangerous vaccine misinformation, and put countless lives at risk, my administration is forging a different path, one that puts our people first. With key insights from the IL-IAC, we’re endorsing clear, evidence-based immunization schedules to help keep Illinois families safe as the federal government chooses conspiracy theories over American lives.”

The American Academy for Pediatrics latest immunization schedule continues to suggest essential vaccinations and specific vaccines that are supported by firm scientific evidence and were previously recommended by the CDC.

Meanwhile, when it comes to the commitments made to protecting health and wellness in our state, IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra, stated “Illinois remains committed to providing clear, science-based vaccine guidance to protect families and communities, Thanks to the thorough review by the IL-IAC, IDPH is confident the 2026 AAP immunization schedule reflects the best available evidence. Today’s endorsement ensures our caregivers and healthcare providers have the consistency and clarity to keep our children healthy and safe.”

Dr. Marielle Fricchione, Chair of the IL-IAC, said “The IAC strongly endorsed the 2026 AAP Child and Adolescent vaccine schedule today based on diverse viewpoints of committee members and a process that considered the impact to Illinois overall. This included vaccine confidence, school safety, provider practice dynamics and patient relationships, vaccine equity and access as well as impact of increased vaccine-preventable diseases on the hospital system. Illinois believes that public health saves lives and IAC showed that today.”

The newly endorsed AAP childhood schedule remains unchanged from what IDPH has previously recommended. The established science around vaccines has not changed, and although this is a new endorsement, all immunization recommendations are consistent with past guidance.