National PTA Statement on New CDC Recommendations for Routine Childhood Vaccinations

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (Jan. 7, 2026)-The following statement can be attributed to National PTA President Yvonne Johnson and National PTA Executive Director Howie Berman, MA, CAE:

"National PTA is deeply concerned with this week's announcement that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will no longer be recommending routine immunization for several diseases with known health impacts on our nation's children, including hepatitis A and B, rotavirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), flu and meningococcal disease. Vaccinations have long been proven to be an effective tool in protecting children and preventing these and other highly contagious viruses and diseases. We do not support these new recommendations as they will cause confusion and uncertainty for our nation's families.

"National PTA has a strong history of advocating to ensure all families have access to vaccination for their children and that families have the information and the tools to understand recommendations from licensed and board-certified medical professionals. Our association remains committed to ensuring access to comprehensive pediatric care for all children and youth-including access to vaccinations-and educating families and communities on the importance of vaccination to ensure all children are protected.

"National PTA encourages state, district, council and local PTAs to:

• Disseminate information to families concerning the importance of vaccination during childhood, uplifting evidence-based recommendations from licensed and board-certified medical professionals and addressing medical misinformation,
• Provide information to help families obtain vaccinations locally for children,
• Support the efforts of schools to enforce immunization laws and encourage states to require certification of immunizations to prevent the spread of communicable diseases within school communities,
• Conduct activities in support of immunization awareness programs, and
• Ensure access to routine childhood vaccinations, including supporting efforts to obtain funding that would enable public health agencies to provide low-cost or free vaccinations.
  

"PTA will continue to work at all levels to educate and advocate for critical childhood vaccinations to protect children's health and halt the spread of diseases, as well as educate and advocate to improve other health conditions that affect children and families. We recently updated our position statement on the Health of Children & Youth and Family Access to Care, which outlines our support of health services, care and research that are preventative and primary in nature and our support of policies, legislation and efforts that ensure all children and youth in our nation receive the nutrition and health care needed to arrive at school ready to learn with healthy minds and bodies."

About National PTA

National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c) (3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visit PTA.org.