New CDC Childhood Immunization Advice Not Endorsed In Wisconsin

On Monday, January 5, 2026, the federal government modified the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) childhood vaccine schedule, further straying from alignment with America's leading medical associations and organizations.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) took exception to the new recommendations, stating that no new clinical data on either safety or effectiveness were presented to justify these changes.

Regarding the new CDC recommendations, Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary Kirsten Johnson said that they "were based on a brief review of other countries' practices and not based on data or evidence regarding disease risks to children in the United States."

Johnson went on to say that this does not align with Wisconsin's longstanding, evidence-based approach of protecting children from the viruses that pose a risk in the United States.

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"Copying another country's schedule without its health and social infrastructure will not produce the same health outcomes. It creates chaos and confusion and risks the health of Wisconsin's youngest and most vulnerable citizens," she added.

Therefore, the Wisconsin DHS will continue to align with the trusted American Academy of Pediatrics, and not follow the CDC, regarding recommended childhood vaccine schedules.

Wisconsin DHS Announces Official Stance On Childhood Vaccine Recommendations

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services officially announced that it will continue to recommend the evidence-based childhood vaccine schedule as published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and has now issued guidance to Wisconsin health care providers affirming the recommendations.

The Wisconsin DHS says the state's reaffirmed guidance aligns with the extensive evidence supporting the safety and effectiveness of previously recommended vaccines, and the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), as well as other leading medical organizations.

"Wisconsin's clinicians deserve guidance that relies on systematic and transparent reviews of scientific evidence," said DHS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ryan Westergaard.

Therefore, at this time, the DHS is making no changes to its existing vaccine recommendations that it says continue to protect health in the state, including no changes to Wisconsin's school or child care vaccine recommendations.

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"Wisconsin providers should continue to follow evidence-based vaccine recommendations from AAP and other professional medical organizations, and parents should talk to trusted health care providers about timely vaccination," said DHS Immunization Program Manager Dr. Stephanie Schauer.

Furthermore, Wisconsin Medicaid will also continue to cover all recommended vaccines for eligible Medicaid members, including newborns, and these vaccines will continue to be available through the Vaccines for Children program.

The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance reminds individual and small group health insurers and self-funded governmental health plans that Wis. Stat. § 623.895 (14) requires coverage of immunizations at no cost share. It also requires that these health plans provide this coverage for a dependent of the insured from birth.

Wisconsinites are invited to use the Wisconsin Immunization Registry to check their child's vaccine status and recommended vaccines. Wisconsin clinicians can refer to the DHS's Recommended Vaccination Schedule for Wisconsinites.

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