How Vaccine Changes Will Affect Children In Illinois

Illinois health officials said the state will continue endorsing the 2026 American Academy of Pediatrics Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule, despite a federal executive order issued this week that seeks changes to established vaccine guidance.

On Monday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that recognized new "Gold Standard Childhood Vaccine Recommendations."

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The order sorts different vaccinations into categories and advocates for separating the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine into three different single-disease shots. The order also promotes Trump's discredited theory that childhood immunizations should be administered at separate appointments whenever possible.

The Illinois health department said years of study confirm the vaccines on the current child and adolescent schedule are safe and effective in keeping children healthy and protecting them from serious preventable illnesses. In early February 2026, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) adopted the 2026 child and adolescent immunization schedule issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics after federal changes to immunization guidance that state health officials said were not backed by scientific evidence.

"The Illinois Department of Public Health is committed to ensuring Illinois residents have reliable access to vaccines and guidance supported by the most up-to-date science," said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. "Despite the latest Presidential Executive Order, IDPH's endorsement of the American Academy of Pediatrics 2026 Childhood Vaccine Schedule remains in effect, unanimously supported by Illinois' Immunization Advisory Committee. IDPH will continue to be guided by science and work closely with clinical and community leaders to provide recommendations that allow Illinoisians to make the best choices to keep themselves and their families safe and healthy."

Vohra noted concerns with the executive order, including its call to split the MMR vaccine into separate shots, which he said is not supported by scientific evidence. He also noted that requiring shots to be split among multiple visits would increase the burden on parents and caregivers by requiring extra doctor's appointments that would cost time and money, with no proven health benefit.

Cook County health officials similarly noted concerns and maintained that the Public Health Department continues to recommend the American Academy of Pediatrics childhood immunization schedule.

"We understand that families want the best for their children, and that's why we continue to recommend following the full schedule as designed," the Cook County Department of Public Health said. "Decades of research and scientific consensus continue to confirm that the AAP schedule is the safest, most effective way to protect children from serious preventable illness. Spacing out required vaccines into separate visits, as recently proposed, leaves children vulnerable to serious illness during the extra time between appointments, without any added safety benefit."

IDPH said it continues to support local health departments on immunization awareness and education, operate mobile clinics, and directly provide some vaccines to local departments. The agency also leads the Statewide Vaccine Access Initiative and works with other state agencies to increase vaccine uptake.

State officials pointed to Illinois vaccination rates as support for the current approach. IDPH said all vaccines except one required for school in Illinois are at the state goal immunization rate of 95 percent or higher. During the 2025-2026 school year, 96.8 percent of students were vaccinated against measles, according to the department.

"A thoughtless piece of paper does not reverse decades of research and scientific evidence about protecting kids," said Gov. JB Pritzker. "While the president tries to confuse and distract the American public, Illinois will continue to follow the science-based guidance that keeps our children safe from serious illness."

The Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee will convene again in September and is expected to review recommendations for the fall respiratory season. IDPH also said parents should make sure children have all required immunizations before the school year begins.