Thanks to vaccines, serious diseases that were once common are now rarely seen. However, skipping or delaying vaccines can let those diseases make a comeback.
Andrew D. Racine, M.D., Ph.D.
President, American Academy of Pediatrics
In 2025, the United States had the most measles infections in 30 years. Most of the people who got measles were not vaccinated. Because of misinformation and confusion around childhood immunizations, some parents and caregivers are skipping the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Measles is highly contagious, and without the community immunity that the MMR vaccine provides, measles is on the rise again.
Thanks to vaccines, many serious diseases that used to be common are now rarely seen, but skipping or delaying vaccines can let those diseases make a comeback. Measles is one of the first, but pediatricians and other physicians are worried there will be more.
Keeping your child on track
Staying up to date on vaccinations means your child can reach milestones like walking, talking, and learning ABCs without being sidelined by preventable diseases. All kids should have easy access to vaccines, no matter where they live, where they get their healthcare, or whether their families have insurance.
The American Academy of Pediatrics continues to strongly recommend a full set of immunizations to keep your child healthy. Pediatricians’ recommendations are based on scientific evidence and a careful review process that has helped keep kids in the United States healthy for decades.
The AAP schedule is the one followed by America’s doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, and now 12 leading medical organizations representing 1 million clinicians support the AAP’s 2026 schedule.
Trust the source
Information spreads fast, but not all of it is true. When it comes to vaccines, false or confusing information can harm your child’s health and the health of our communities. That’s why it’s important to check the source before you accept or share content. Trustworthy information from medical experts, like pediatricians, relies on science, not rumors.
As a parent, you know your child and what they need to thrive. Your pediatrician has medical training, special knowledge, and scientific evidence about how to support children’s health. Working together, you can make informed decisions about what’s best for your child. If you have questions about vaccines or anything else, talk with your pediatrician.
For more information about children’s health, visit HealthyChildren.org, the official parenting website of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
