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On March 16, a federal judge blocked key elements of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s efforts to change U.S. vaccine policy. The ruling on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) et al. v. Kennedy et al. case halts the Jan. 5 overhaul of the childhood immunization schedule and prevents recently appointed members of the ACIP from serving while the case proceeds.
The court found that federal health officials did not follow established scientific and legal processes used for decades to develop vaccine recommendations. As a result, actions taken by the reconstituted advisory committee including all of the ACIP votes of the past year, were invalidated and the ACIP meeting scheduled for March 18 and 19 was postponed. For more information visit CIDRAP: The State of US Vaccine Policy: Special Edition — Mar 17, 2026.
MDH continues to endorse the immunization schedules and guidance of the AAP, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and ACOG. For more information review Vaccine Recommendations and Access for Minnesotans.
AAFP has officially launched their 2026 immunization schedules, and they can be found at Immunization Schedules.
Join the MDH in celebrating National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) April 20 to 26. NIIW highlights the importance of protecting infants and children two years of age and younger from vaccine-preventable diseases with immunizations given during pregnancy and after birth. Talking with Parents and Patients About Vaccines provides resources to support vaccinators in promoting immunization and Reliable Sources of Immunization Information is a great reference for parents who have questions or concerns about immunization.
In Minnesota, human papillomavirus (HPV) oral cancer rates are rising. HPV infection can cause six types of cancer, including oropharyngeal cancers that cause significant health consequences and impact quality of life. To prevent more than 90% of oral and other HPV-associated cancers later in life, ensure on-time HPV vaccine series initiation and completion. Continue to promote these best practices in your clinic:
- Provide a strong recommendation for HPV vaccination for all patients 9 to 13 years of age.
- Start the conversation about HPV vaccine beginning at age 9 and continue into ages 11 to 12.
- Vaccinate as early as age 9 and promote on-time completion of HPV vaccine series by age 13.
Visit For Health Care Providers Serving Adolescents for additional information and resources on immunization best practices, and for more information on HPV cancer surveillance data and rising HPV oral cancer rates, visit HPV-Associated Cancer in Minnesota (PDF).
MDH is requesting nominations for the 2026 National Immunization Champion Award. This award honors one person in Minnesota for their exemplary work in fostering and promoting immunizations for children or adults in their community. Nominees can be leaders from health care, education, non-profits, community, and other immunization partners. For more information and the nomination form, visit AIM 2026 Immunization Champion Award.
Nominations will be accepted until Friday, May 15. Questions and completed nomination forms can be sent to Melody Doan at melody.doan.contractor@state.mn.us. Self-nominations are welcome. Share this information with your network and eligible immunization partners. For information on past champions and their outstanding work visit Association of Immunization Managers: 2025 Immunization Champion Award Winners.
Voices for Vaccines released new vaccine conversation videos entitled YouTube: Just the Facts and YouTube: The 4-A Method. These short, scenario-based videos model how to respond to common vaccine questions and misinformation in a respectful, relationship-centered way. Each video demonstrates the 4-A method: Ask. Acknowledge. Affirm. Answer. This approach helps vaccine advocates:
- Reduce defensiveness and build trust.
- Explore the underlying concern before correcting misinformation.
- Affirm values and questions without validating false claims.
- Provide clear, permission-based, evidence-grounded responses.
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