Vaccine Booster Newsletter

February 26, 2026

The West Coast Health Alliance and CDPH Continue

to recommend the American Academy of Pediatrics Recommended Immunization Schedule

Excerpted from the CDPH Office of Guidance and Policy:

The West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) and CDPH continue to recommend the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommended Child and Adolescent 

Immunization Schedule.

On January 5th, the current CDC made several changes to the immunization schedule

without following established procedures for immunization policy 

recommendations. The primary change was to reduce the number of routinely 

recommended childhood vaccines.

This decision: 



• Did not follow regular immunization policy recommendation processes 

• Was not based on new data for the safety and effectiveness of vaccines

The science behind immunization recommendations has not changed.

The AAP Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule is based 

on vaccine safety and evidence. AAP recommendations consider: 

• When children are most vulnerable to diseases 

• When vaccines work best with children’s immune systems 

• The safety of vaccines being recommended 

• The risk of diseases in the United States 

• Our current access to health care and vaccines

• How cost-effective is it to implement national recommendations for a particular vaccine.

CDPH has taken proactive steps to ensure access to life-saving vaccines, even amid 

the politicization of federal guidance and the destabilization of federal health institutions, by aligning their recommendations with trusted doctors, scientists and medical organizations.

Block Out The Noise

Along with our partners in public health and every major medical organization, CIC will continue to emphasize science-based policies that protect families and communities. Together we are working to provide accurate information related to immunization and support access to vaccines - no matter what misinformation is shared online or in the media.

CIC has helped create some helpful infographs for you to use in your social media posts and especially, to print and share in your offices. California clinicians are doing a great job and it is important to continue reassuring our families that public health and fellow health professionals are steady and ready!

Printable pdf's and some messages can be found on the CIC website here.

Be sure to tag us on social media and we would love to hear your feedback.

For Clinicians

For Parents - English

For Parents - Spanish

The California Immunization Coalition (CIC) invites you to join us at the 2026 CIC Summit in Sacramento — a statewide gathering of public health professionals, clinicians, community partners, researchers, and advocates working to strengthen immunization efforts across California and beyond. 

The Summit will feature engaging speakers, timely discussions on emerging issues, opportunities to connect with colleagues, and practical strategies to support your work. 

Registration is open, draft agenda is posted and we also encourage you to submit an abstract and nominate a state or local champion for our annual awards ceremony which recognizes the outstanding contributions to immunization efforts across the state. 

Visit the Summit website to learn more, view the agenda, and register today! 

We hope you’ll join us for this inspiring opportunity to learn, connect, and collaborate. 

• Registration open
• Check out Agenda with latest speakers added - more to come!
• Make your hotel reservation and travel arrangements
• Submit an Abstract by March 13
• Nominate your Immunization Champion from California

Your voice in support of immunizations and public health are more important than ever and you are what makes our Coalition unique and successful. We look forward to seeing you there!

ACIP Meeting - March 18-19

Please submit your comments starting March 2 to March 12

The next ACIP is currently scheduled to meet March 18-19. While there is no full agenda posted yet, the federal register notice states: 

'The agenda will include updates on ACIP Workgroups and discussions on COVID-19 vaccine injuries and Long-COVID and ACIP recommendation methodology. Recommendation votes may be scheduled for COVID-19 vaccine injuries and Long-COVID and ACIP recommendation methodology.' Link to Federal Register information here and below.

'Any member of the public can submit a written public comment to ACIP or register to provide oral comment (live during meeting). The docket, identified by Docket No. CDC-2026-0199, will be opened to receive written comments on March 2–12, 2026. Written comments must be received by March 12, 2026, using the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. All submissions received must include the agency name and Docket Number. 

All relevant comments received will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.

CIC strongly encourages you to submit a request for oral comment and/or a written comment. As a public health professional and advocate, you are the experts and can provide important information and feedback. You know the subject matter, and many of you are working on the frontline and can provide important feedback. 

The ‘new’ ACIP meetings are drawing larger and more diverse audiences including media representatives and policymakers/ staff. In a recent advocacy update, our colleague Professor Dorit Reiss reminds us that "comments from, well-informed, science-based groups can help them (ACIP) understand the issues, understand any misinformation shared by the committee, and understand what was not there - what the committee did not address. Further, issues raised in comments and not addressed by the committee are relevant to litigation."

American Academy of Pediatrics’ Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule

Broad Coalition Voices Support for

AAP’s Vaccine Recommendations

On Wednesday, CIC joined more than 230 organizations in issuing the following statement in support of AAP’s schedule: 

“Today, our organizations are coming together to champion the best interests of children in the United States by showing our support for the 2026 American Academy of Pediatrics Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule. " Read more below:

Measles 2026

Resources for keeping up with measles cases in the United States and resources to support fellow health professionals and parents:

Johns Hopkins Measles Tracker - Current maps, graphs, data, state and county numbers.

California Department of Public Health - Measles Page - including measles communication toolkit.

EZIZ.org Resources for Measles

CAHAN Measles Alert

American Academy of Pediatrics - Measles



NACCHO - Tools and Resources for local health departments

Adolescent Immunization Action Week (AIAW) will be held April 6-10, 2026, to highlight the importance of vaccines for preteens and teens. Vaccines are a simple way to protect adolescents today and in their future. Careful and extensive research worldwide shows that vaccines are much safer than the diseases they target. 

We want healthcare providers and parents or guardians to make sure preteens and teens get the shots they need to stay healthy. Vaccinating on time is crucial. It protects over 8 million teens in California from getting sick and missing out on school, sports, and other activities they love. Learn more about the vaccines your preteen or teen needs at go.cdph.ca.gov/teen-vaccine.     

ACOG Statement on Maternal Vaccinations

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) announced this week (Feb. 24) its withdrawal from participation in the CDC’s ACIP, citing concerns about recent changes to the committee’s membership and direction.

As stated in their press release (see link below) "ACOG will continue to develop evidence-based vaccine guidance for ob-gyns and their patients and will regularly update its clinical guidance on immunizations based on peer-reviewed scientific data and in collaboration with other leading medical organizations committed to evidence-based medicine. ACOG will also continue to engage with ACIP as an active member of the public."

Hep B Elimination Through Community, Public Health, Innovation, and Healthcare Partnerships

SF Hep B Free invites you to join them for their inaugural Summit in San Francisco, May 12, 2026



• Early-bird pricing through March 1 <===
• Abstracts accepted through March 1, with selected presenters featured at the Summit


Register, submit an abstract, and learn more:

WHO Convenes Meeting on Flu Vaccine Strain Selection for 2026-2027 Season



• The WHO is holding its biannual information meeting on Mar. 12 to review global surveillance data and recommend the influenza virus strains to be included in vaccines for the 2026–2027 northern hemisphere flu season.
• The U.S. will participate in the meeting, despite officially withdrawing from WHO last month.