The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has announced its decision to adopt the 2026 child and adolescent immunization schedule released by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
“Illinois remains committed to providing clear, science-based vaccine guidance to protect families and communities,” said ISMS member and IDPH Director Sameer Vohra, M.D. “Thanks to the thorough review by the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee, IDPH is confident that the 2026 AAP immunization schedule reflects the best available evidence.”
The new AAP schedule matches what Illinois already recommends for childhood vaccinations. In 2025, state guidelines were updated to align with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued on August 7, 2025.
Additionally, IDPH has joined the World Health Organization’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN). This move follows a decision by the White House in January to formally withdraw the United States from WHO. According to state health officials, participation in GOARN will help Illinois access resources needed to prevent and manage public health emergencies.
For further information or questions, residents can contact the ISMS Health Policy Research and Advocacy team via email.
