Statement on Childhood and Adolescent Vaccination Recommendations

Seattle Children’s continues to recommend that children and adolescents receive all vaccines according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) immunization schedule, reflecting decades of evidence supporting their safety and effectiveness. This position aligns with the AAP’s recent press release reaffirming the importance of the routine childhood vaccine schedule.

While recent federal discussions have raised questions about changes to the national immunization schedule, leading professional organizations, including the West Coast Health Alliance, have publicly opposed the removal of longstanding universal vaccine recommendations and support maintaining science-based guidance for pediatric immunizations. Per HHS, “all immunizations recommended by the CDC as of December 31, 2025, will continue to be fully covered by Affordable Care Act insurance plans and federal insurance programs, including Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Vaccines for Children program. Families will not have to purchase them out of pocket.”

Importantly, there are no changes to the Washington State Department of Health  (WSDOH) school immunization requirements. Children and adolescents in Washington must continue to meet the state’s mandated vaccine requirements for school and childcare attendance as outlined in current law.

Vaccination remains one of the most important tools we have to protect children from serious, preventable infectious diseases – protecting not only individual patients but also families and communities.