Health experts determine each vaccine’s dose timing with two considerations. First, it is scheduled for the age when the body’s immune system will respond best. Second, it is balanced with the need to protect infants and children when they are most vulnerable to diseases.

You may have heard about vaccine schedules that delay or spread out vaccines. There is no scientific reason to believe that spreading out or delaying your child’s vaccines is safer than following the AAP-recommended schedule. There is no science behind alternative schedules. Moreover, delaying or opting out of recommended vaccines leaves your child vulnerable to diseases at key times.

In 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) removed six (6) vaccines from its recommended schedule. They did so without using scientific data. Thankfully, expert organizations like the AAP, American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists are committed to using strong scientific data to make vaccine recommendations. The AAP-recommended schedule is carefully researched and tested for safety. It is very effective at protecting kids from illness.