Health Advisory: SFDPH Reaffirms Commitment to Evidence-Based Childhood Immunization Schedule

Disease Prevention and Control

Situational Update

SFDPH strongly supports the evidence-based childhood and adolescent immunization schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and endorsed by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and West Coast Health Alliance.

Despite federal changes on January 5, 2026 overhauling the U.S. childhood immunization schedule, California’s recommended schedule remains unchanged, including immunization requirements for school and childcare entry. In September 2025, California state law was updated to ensure that our state’s immunization policies continue to align with evidence-based standards and the recommendations of professional medical groups like the AAP.

Clinicians receiving questions from families about conflicting national messages can provide reassurance that vaccines remain recommended and covered by insurance in California and San Francisco.

Actions Requested of SF Clinicians

  • As trusted providers, continue recommending vaccines included in the AAP Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule.
    • Continue to stock vaccines in your clinic so that patients do not need to go elsewhere to receive vaccines.
  • Proactively address patient questions
    • There are no new data to suggest that the AAP immunization schedule is unsafe or ineffective.
    • The infectious diseases that these vaccines protect against continue to circulate and pose a risk to health.
    • All vaccines recommended as of December 31, 2025 remain available and covered by public and private insurers in California including via the federal Vaccines For Children (VFC) program.
  • Contact SFDPH with any questions and report any insurance or other barriers to your patients obtaining AAP-recommended vaccines (contact information below).

Resources

AAP: Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule

CDPH: Public Health for All

Program Contact Information

Immunization Program | Communicable Disease Branch
Population Health Division | San Francisco Department of Public Health
Tel: (628) 217-7490 | Email: immunization.dph@sfdph.org

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