top of page

Immunization schedule 

Routine childhood and teen vaccines are one of the most important ways we protect kids from serious, preventable illnesses. At Mindful Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, we follow the 2026 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule, which continues to recommend routine immunization against 18 diseases, including RSV, hepatitis A and B, rotavirus, influenza, meningococcal disease, and COVID‑19.

​

Our goal is to give parents a clear, reassuring overview of what to expect from birth through age 18, while always tailoring recommendations to your child’s health history and needs.

Key points about the 2026 AAP immunization schedule

  • Evidence‑based: The schedule is updated annually by the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases using rigorous review of safety data, disease patterns, and vaccine effectiveness.

  • Stable routine recommendations: The AAP 2026 schedule keeps routine recommendations intact for core vaccines (including hepatitis A/B, rotavirus, influenza, meningococcal, and COVID‑19), even though the current federal schedule has changed.

  • Protects against 18 diseases: Routine vaccines cover illnesses such as RSV, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, pneumococcal disease, Hib, HPV, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A/B, influenza, and COVID‑19.

  • Includes RSV immunization: RSV protection (via maternal vaccination during pregnancy or infant immunization) is recommended for most infants, especially those under 8 months whose mother did not receive RSV vaccine during pregnancy.

  • HPV: two‑dose series: The AAP recommends two doses of HPV vaccine starting between ages 9–12 years, to ensure strong protection before exposure.

For the exact, detailed schedule (including catch‑up guidance and special situations), we use the official AAP Immunization Schedule in clinic and encourage families to review the parent‑friendly version on HealthyChildren.org.

Overview table: routine immunizations from birth through age 18

This table gives a high‑level summary of typical vaccine timing following the AAP 2026 schedule. It is not a substitute for the official schedule or medical advice; individual recommendations may vary.

Abbreviations:

HepB – Hepatitis B;

DTaP/Tdap – Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis;

IPV – Inactivated polio;

Hib – Haemophilus influenzae type b;

PCV – Pneumococcal conjugate;

MMR – Measles, mumps, rubella;

Varicella – Chickenpox;

HepA – Hepatitis A;

HPV – Human papillomavirus;

RSV – Respiratory syncytial virus;

MenACWY – Meningococcal conjugate;

MenB – Meningococcal B.

Catch‑up and special situations

  • Catch‑up schedule: The AAP publishes a detailed catch‑up schedule for children and teens who start vaccines late or fall behind. This includes minimum intervals between doses and age‑specific guidance.

  • High‑risk conditions: Some children with chronic illnesses, immune conditions, or specific risk factors may need additional vaccines or different timing (for example, extra pneumococcal doses or earlier MenB).

  • RSV, COVID‑19, and flu: Recommendations for RSV, COVID‑19, and influenza may be updated more frequently. We follow the latest AAP policy statements and Red Book guidance and will review these with you at each visit.

How Mindful Pediatrics uses the AAP schedule

  • We follow the AAP schedule, not the altered federal schedule. The AAP has clearly stated that its 2026 schedule keeps routine recommendations intact and is rooted in science, in contrast to recent federal changes that removed universal recommendations for several vaccines.

  • We individualize within a trusted framework. While the AAP schedule is our foundation, we always consider your child’s medical history, prior reactions, and family circumstances when planning vaccines.

  • We welcome questions. Vaccine conversations are part of every well visit. You can ask about ingredients, side effects, spacing, and how vaccines fit into your child’s overall health plan.

bottom of page