DDPHE Blog: No Changes to Pediatric Vaccines in Colorado

DDPHE Blog: No Changes to Pediatric Vaccines in Colorado

Published on January 08, 2026

You may have seen headlines about changes to childhood vaccination strategies. We want to clarify what's changed, what hasn't, and what it means for families in Denver.

The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) follows the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) recommended vaccine schedule, which is based on the latest scientific research. All vaccines recommended by the AAP are still available and covered by health insurance.

What happened?

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently announced a change in the recommended immunization schedule for children. According to their announcement, the schedule has been organized into three categories:

• Immunizations Recommended for all Children
• Immunizations Recommended for Certain High-Risk Populations
• Immunizations Based on Shared Clinical-Decision-Making
• Not recommended - no vaccines currently identified but category now exists

These changes were made outside the standard scientific review process that normally guides vaccine recommendations.

What does this mean for Denver families?

Colorado requirements for school-aged vaccinations have not changed and are still vitally important to protecting kids and communities from preventable diseases like measles and flu.

Kids will continue to have access to all vaccinations recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. However, we may see changes to coverage for the second dose of the HPV vaccinations. Continued efforts to protect coverage and vaccine availability will be important.

The experts at DDPHE and the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment continue to recommend that Denver's children receive vaccinations as directed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This is based on decades of scientific evidence showing that the vaccines are safe, effective, and one of the best tools we have to prevent serious preventable illness.

What is a vaccine schedule?

A vaccine schedule is a plan that tells you which vaccines a child or teen should get and at what age. It's designed by medical experts to give the best protection against serious diseases at the right time in a child's development.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) schedule is based on scientific research and considers:

• Which vaccines are needed to prevent illnesses like measles, whooping cough, and flu
• The timing for each dose, so the immune system gets the strongest protection
• Spacing between doses, because some vaccines need more than one shot for full protection

Our commitment

We understand that changes in vaccine guidance can be confusing. Our goal is to provide clear, evidence-based information so families can make informed decisions. We remain committed to protecting the health of Denver's residents and supporting parents and providers with trusted guidance.

If you have questions about childhood vaccines or when your child should be vaccinated, talk to your health care provider or reach out to the DDPHE nursing team at [email protected].

• Press release
• Public Health & Environment