New Jersey Department of Health Statement on Federal Changes to Childhood Vaccine Recommendations

TRENTON, NJ - New Jersey's childhood vaccine requirements have not changed. A federal executive order signed on August 10 recommends fewer routine vaccines for children, a move that departs from decades of evidence and is likely to increase the risk of preventable illness and death to children across the nation. However, the President's order does not affect New Jersey law, and the schedule families and providers rely on remains in place.

"Protecting children from preventable disease is one of the most fundamental responsibilities we hold, and it is one we take seriously," said Dr. Raynard E. Washington, New Jersey Health Commissioner. "Families deserve clear, science-based guidance, not confusion. The evidence behind childhood vaccines is clear, it has not changed, and New Jersey will continue to make sure every family can access the vaccines that keep their children safe."

The Department of Health continues to recommend that children receive their vaccines on time, at the ages proven to protect them best. Vaccines remain among the safest and most effective tools we have, and the claim that they cause autism has been studied exhaustively and disproven. Reviving it does not help families; it draws attention away from the work of keeping children healthy.

The Department will use its full authority to keep vaccines accessible across New Jersey and to give families, providers, schools, and local health partners information they can trust. Parents and caregivers with questions should speak with their child's pediatrician or healthcare provider. Residents can find New Jersey's childcare, preschool, K-12, and higher education immunization requirements, along with help finding low- or no-cost vaccines, at nj.gov/health/vaccines.

New Jersey also stands by the statement released by the Northeast Public Health Collaborative, of which the state is a founding member. The coalition of states, territories, and large cities released the following statement:

"The Northeast Public Health Collaborative (NEPHC) firmly stands in support of science-based vaccination recommendations. Accordingly, the NEPHC reaffirms its earlier endorsement of the 2026 childhood and adolescent immunization schedules issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which have also been endorsed by numerous other medical organizations. These schedules reflect the current scientific evidence on vaccine safety and effectiveness and are based on the specific disease risks and healthcare delivery context in the U.S.

"Undermining confidence in the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine - used for over five decades - during the largest measles outbreak in decades will lead to additional measles cases and, potentially, deaths. Immunizations save lives, and parents should be able to trust that the health recommendations they receive are based on science."

# # #

The New Jersey Department of Health is a nationally accredited health department working to ensure that all New Jerseyans live long, healthy lives and reach their fullest potential. With more than 6,000 employees, the Department serves to protect the public's health, promote healthy communities, and continue to improve the quality of health care in New Jersey.

The Northeast Public Health Collaborative is a voluntary coalition of 16 public health agencies working together to share expertise, improve coordination, enhance capacity, strengthen regional readiness and protect evidence-based public health in our jurisdictions. The Collaborative does not necessarily speak on behalf of every member agency or state, and each member retains its own independent positions and authorities.