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January 14, 2026

AAPD Affirms Support for Vaccines

On January 5, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a revised childhood immunization schedule that reduces the number of recommended vaccinations. These changes were issued outside of the established, evidence-based scientific processes traditionally used to develop national immunization guidelines.

Given these developments, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) reaffirms its strong support for childhood vaccines. Vaccines are safe and effective in preventing disease. We share the deep concern expressed by our physician colleagues at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Medical Association (AMA) regarding the recent changes to the childhood vaccine schedule.  

AAPD remains committed to providing clinical best practices and evidence-based guidance through our annually published Reference Manual. The 2025-26 Reference Manual continues to rely on the immunization schedule based on the 2024 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (CDC–ACIP) recommendations, which is currently maintained by the AAP (see page 658 of the print edition recently mailed to members).

Additionally, AAPD will continue to advocate for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine during this time of heightened vaccine scrutiny. This vaccine prevents HPV infections that are associated with a variety of cancers including oral and oropharyngeal cancers. Since its introduction in 2006, the HPV vaccine has been shown to prevent persistent HPV infection and significantly reduce future cancer risk. 1,2 

1. National Cancer Institute. HPV and cancer. Last revi­sion October 18, 2023. Available at: “https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/infectious-agents/hpv-and-cancer”. Accessed February 8, 2024.

2. Cogliano V, Baan R, Straif K, Grosse Y, Secretan B, El Ghissassi F. Carcinogenicity of human papillomaviruses. World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer. Lancet Oncol 2005;6:204.

(Sources cited from the AAPD Research & Policy Center).