On Jan. 5, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced changes to the childhood immunization schedule, reducing the number of vaccines recommended for children from 17 to 11. Federal officials have indicated the changes will not affect insurance coverage or vaccine availability through the federal Vaccines for Children program.
While federal CDC recommendations have shifted, Colorado’s approach remains grounded in long-standing science, expert consensus, and transparency. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) will continue to:
- Rely on peer-reviewed scientific evidence and expert medical guidance.
- Support health care providers with clear, consistent recommendations.
- Ensure continued access to vaccines for children and families across the state.
- Protect community health through data-driven disease prevention strategies.
“Colorado’s vaccine guidance is rooted in decades of strong scientific evidence and real-world experience,” said Dr. Ned Calonge, chief medical officer at CDPHE. “Regardless of changes at the federal level, our priority is ensuring families and providers have trusted, evidence-based guidance to keep children and communities healthy.” Read the full press release from CDPHE here.
Resources
- CDPHE recommend that families and providers follow the 2025 Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
- This article from HealthyChildren.org has an overview of the vaccine schedule and frequently asked questions.
- This one-pager on the vaccine schedule changes from Your Local Epidemiologist breaks down the updates by vaccine.