PVHMC to Continue Support of Recommended Pediatrics Vaccine Protocol

On January 5, 2026, the Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) signed a decision memorandum​ (PDF) to revise the Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule and significantly reduce the number of vaccinations from 18 to 11 that had been routinely recommended for all U.S. children.

Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center (PVHMC) agrees with the West Coast Health Alliance and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule guidelines, which continues to recommend children receive all 18 vaccinations.

Prior to 2025, the AAP had endorsed the CDC’s recommendations, based on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which followed a rigorous review of data on risk of disease and safety of vaccination in the United States.

The AAP, which represents 67,000 pediatricians nationwide, has issued guidance about which shots kids should get every year since 1935.

“Children getting sick from the diseases prevented by recommended immunizations leads to missed school for children, missed work for parents, and even unnecessary hospitalization and tragic death for some children,” said Muzna Atif, MD, pediatric hospitalist and medical director of inpatient pediatric services at PVHMC. “The best way to protect our children is through evidence-based medical practices like vaccination.”

According to the West Coast Health Alliance, the new CDC vaccines guidelines threaten an increase in vaccine-preventable diseases in children nationwide. These changes were also not vetted by experts from medical and public health organizations, health care providers, or the public before they were published. ​

“A clear example of how a drop in vaccinations hurts our children and community is the measles outbreaks that began in Texas and claimed the lives of two children last year,” says Dr. Atif. “The spike in cases that continued to spread to other areas of the U.S. with low vaccination rates have now put the U.S. at risk of losing its measles eradication status that we worked so hard to achieve more than 20 years ago.”

Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 2,242 measles cases across 44 states — the most since 1991 — and nearly 50 separate outbreaks.

“There is science-backed evidence that vaccinations protect our children, I encourage any parent with questions to talk to their doctor to make an informed decision,” said Dr. Atif. “No child should ever have to suffer from a preventable illness.”

To find a pediatrician or learn about Children’s Services at PVHMC, visit: www.pvhmc.org/centers-of-excellence/childrens-services.