08/12/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 11, 2026
Media Contact: Logan Anderson, [email protected]
Virginia Department of Health Commits to Evidence-Based Vaccine Recommendations and Ensuring Access to Childhood Vaccinations
Richmond, Va. – In response to the recent Presidential Executive Order pertaining to childhood vaccine recommendations, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is reaffirming its previously stated commitment to vaccines as an essential tool in protecting the health of children, their families, and their communities.
The Presidential Executive Order does not change vaccine recommendations or school immunization requirements in Virginia. VDH continues to recommend that children are vaccinated in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2026 Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule. VDH expects that healthcare providers will continue to rely on their clinical training and professional judgment and 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.
“Virginia’s families should be able to trust that our vaccine recommendations are grounded in the best available science and focused on protecting the health and well-being of their children,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Cameron Webb. “The evidence supporting the AAP immunization schedule is extensive, and we remain confident that following it is one of the best ways to protect children from serious, preventable diseases. VDH will continue to follow the evidence, work with trusted clinical partners, and ensure families have access to the vaccines and reliable information they need.”
“The Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (VA AAP) stands behind the AAP’s Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule, which is evidenced-based and rooted in decades of research and data,” said Dr. Erin Brickley, a practicing pediatrician in Marion, Va., and chair of the VA AAP’s Immunization Committee. “We will work together with VDH to continue protecting Virginia children from vaccine-preventable illnesses and ensuring parents have accurate information regarding the importance of on-time immunization.”
Virginia is already taking action to evaluate and protect access to vaccines. Pursuant to Item 278 M1, Ch 1, 2026 Acts of Assembly, Special Session I, VDH will convene its newly established Workgroup on Childhood Immunization Schedules and Public Health Emergencies in late August 2026. This group will bring together key partners – including healthcare practitioners, insurance representatives, and public health stakeholders – to review Virginia’s statutory and regulatory frameworks pertaining to access to childhood and emergency immunizations.
If you have questions about vaccines or vaccine-preventable diseases, please talk to your healthcare provider or contact your local health department for more information.
