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February 19, 2026
Updates on Virginia Department of Health Vaccine Recommendations
Dear Colleague,
To date, VDH has now reported 10 cases of measles in 2026 — twice the number of measles cases reported in all of 2025. Although the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has not yet identified a measles outbreak or evidence of community transmission in Virginia, the recent increase in cases both in Virginia and nationally is a good reminder of the importance of vaccines in protecting our communities. As we continue our shared mission to safeguard our communities, we would like to provide the following updates and reminders regarding childhood and adolescent immunizations.
On January 5, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced significant changes to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) childhood immunization schedule. This change was made in the absence of new data or safety signals to prompt such an update. On January 26, 2026, the AAP published its Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule, US, 2026. The updates below reflect that VDH vaccine recommendations are clear and grounded in science, enabling informed conversations and decisions between families and their healthcare providers.
American Academy of Pediatrics 2026 Immunization Schedule
Vaccinations play a critical role in protecting the health of children, families, and communities. VDH strongly recommends that all children in the Commonwealth be vaccinated in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule. After thorough review of the various schedules, our agency believes that AAP’s recommended schedule best reflects the existing science on how to optimally protect Virginia’s children and adolescents against 18 vaccine-preventable diseases.
VDH expects healthcare providers to continue relying on their clinical training and professional judgement, and to consult information published by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians when engaging in shared clinical decision-making with parents, caregivers, and patients. Vaccines remain widely accessible in Virginia and VDH expects Virginia healthcare providers to continue to offer these vaccines to children and adolescents. As you know, a healthcare provider’s recommendation remains one of the most powerful factors in a person’s decision to receive a vaccine.
Virginia’s Vaccine Requirements for School Attendance Remain Unchanged
Please note that the minimum immunization requirements for school entrance in Virginia are outlined in the Code of Virginia and remain unchanged as compared to last school year. Additional information on school immunization requirements can also be found on our School Immunization Requirements webpage.
VDH will continue to rely on systematic and transparent review of scientific evidence to inform any future updates to immunization requirements, guidance, or practice. Thank you for your collaboration in keeping Virginia’s families healthy and safe.
Sincerely,
B. Cameron Webb, MD, JD
State Health Commissioner
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