Updated 2024 Children Vaccination Schedule Effective Immediately

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today published updated vaccination recommendations for ages 18 years or younger.

Published on November 17, 2023, the 2024 Immunization Schedule is effective immediately.

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has approved these vaccine recommendations by majority vote since October 26, 2023. 

The ACIP develops recommendations for U.S. immunizations, including ages when vaccines should be given, number of doses, time between doses, and precautions and contraindications.

The comprehensive summary of the ACIP recommended changes made to the child and adolescent immunization schedule will be published in an upcoming Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report in early 2024.

These new recommendations may curtail the downward trend in childhood vaccination rates.

The CDC's Director has adopted the ACIP recommendations, which are now official.

The CDC Director, Dr. Mandy Cohen, gave a TV interview in Houston, Texas, on November 16, 2023, regarding respiratory health risks this winter and why getting your shots now is essential.

According to the CDC on November 10, 2023, from 2019–20 to the 2021–22 school year, national coverage with state-required vaccines among kindergartners declined from 95% to approximately 93%, ranging from 92.7% for diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine to 93.1% for polio.

The CDC wrote the overall percentage of children with an exemption increased from 2.6% during the 2021–22 school year to 3% during the 2022–23 school year, the highest exemption rate ever reported in the United States.

The percentage of children with an exemption increased in 40 states and D.C. 

In addition to the ACIP and CDC, the 2024 vaccination recommendations have been approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Nurse-Midwives, American Academy of Physician Associates, and National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.