NMA Opposes Change to Childhood Immunization Schedule
For Immediate Release:
January 6, 2026
The National Medical Association strongly opposes the sweeping changes announced this week to the federal childhood immunization schedule, which dramatically reduce the number of vaccines routinely recommended for American children. These actions abandon long-standing, evidence-based public health practice and place children at increased risk for preventable disease, with particularly serious implications for Black children and communities.
The revised schedule, issued without a transparent scientific review or input from pediatric and infectious disease experts, introduces unnecessary confusion for parents and clinicians and undermines public confidence in vaccines that have been proven safe and effective over decades.
“The science supporting routine childhood vaccination has not changed,” said Dr. Brandi Freeman, MD, President-Elect of the National Medical Association and a primary care pediatrician. “What has changed is the messaging parents are receiving and that confusion will result in missed vaccinations, lower protection, and the return of diseases that should no longer threaten our children.”
Dr. Freeman emphasized that vaccine schedules must be designed for the realities of the United States, including population diversity, global travel, and unequal access to health care. Models based on countries with nationalized health systems and smaller, more homogeneous populations fail to account for the exposure risks faced by Black children and other underserved communities in this country.
The National Medical Association affirms that the American Academy of Pediatrics’ immunization schedule remains the most comprehensive, science-based guidance for protecting children. Developed through decades of rigorous research, clinical experience, and epidemiological data, the schedule reflects the best available evidence to safeguard children throughout their lives.
“These changes shift the burden of decision-making onto families and pediatricians without clear guidance, resources, or time, a reality that disproportionately harms communities that already face barriers to care,” Dr. Freeman said. “Rolling back routine recommendations moves us backward, not forward, in protecting children’s health.”
The National Medical Association urges parents to rely on evidence-based recommendations and to consult trusted pediatricians when making decisions about their children’s health. The organization calls on federal health leadership to restore transparent, expert-driven processes that prioritize science and the well-being of all children.
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About the National Medical Association:
The NMA is the nation’s oldest and largest organization representing Black physicians and health professionals in the U.S. and promotes the collective interests of physicians and patients of African descent. We serve as the voice of Black physicians and a leading voice for parity in medicine, elimination of health disparities and promotion of optimal health. To learn more about the NMA, please visit https://www.nmanet.org/.
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Jaylen Christie
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