Maine AAP joins others in press release raising concern about US revised vaccine recommendations

Posted on January 06, 2026

MEDIA STATEMENT

For Immediate Release: Monday, January 5, 2026

Contact: Anne Sedlack (asedlack@mainephysicians.org)

STATEMENT: Health Community Urges The United States Department of Health and Human Services and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to Reconsider Overhaul of Childhood Immunization Schedule AUGUSTA – This afternoon, the Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Jim O’Neill, in his role as Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), signed a memorandum that directs HHS and the CDC to review and revise the U.S. childhood immunization schedule. The action follows a directive from President Trump to “review international best practices” on vaccination, and consider aligning the U.S. childhood immunization schedule more closely with vaccine recommendations used in other developed countries. The memorandum signals a sharp change from decades of scientific practice and undermines the CDC’s traditional expert-driven advisory process. The Maine Medical Association is joined by Maine Academy of Family Physicians, Maine Academy of Physician Associates, Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Maine Osteopathic Association, and Maine Public Health Association in urging the public to continue listening to their clinicians about the importance of vaccinations.

“We cannot compromise on science and proven prevention,” said Maine Medical Association President James Jarvis, MD. “What works to protect a small, very highly vaccinated population in other countries cannot be extrapolated for a very large, heterogeneous, and much more diverse population like the U.S. Furthermore, the higher rate of individuals who are underinsured or lack access to primary care in the U.S. compared to peer nations, increases the number of at-risk individuals. Healthcare policy should focus on the protection of all children.” “Dismantling decades of evidence-based vaccine policy on the basis of political directives and international snapshot comparisons jeopardizes the health of our children and our communities,” stated Kathleen Moneghan, DHA, MPAS, PA-C, President, Maine Academy of Physician Associates.

“Public trust in vaccination hinges on transparency and clear communication. Sudden shifts like this will only deepen confusion among parents and clinicians alike, at a time when declining coverage is causing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases at levels we haven’t seen in decades,” stated Laura Faherty, MD, MPH, MSHP, Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. "Changing the U.S. childhood immunization schedule to align with other developed countries is like fitting a square peg into a round hole,” said Rebecca Boulos, Executive Director of Maine Public Health Association. “These other ‘comparison’ countries have completely different populations, infectious disease risks, and healthcare systems – including that they offer universal healthcare. We have a different vaccination schedule because we have different needs."

Maine Medical Association President, James Jarvis, MD, concluded with, “We urge the U.S. CDC to return to its mission of promoting sound science that protects the health of all Americans. If it does not, we will work to understand the implications of the new recommendations to ensure our patients receive the protection they need.”

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The Maine Medical Association (MMA) is a professional organization representing more than 4,300 allopathic and osteopathic physicians, residents, and medical students in Maine. MMA’s mission is to support Maine physicians, advance the quality of medicine in Maine, and promote the health of all Maine people.

The Maine Academy of Family Physicians is a professional medical society dedicated to maintaining high standards of family medicine, representing over 700 family physicians, residents and medical students across the state of Maine.

The Maine Academy of Physician Associates was incorporated on April 1, 1977, as a nonprofit organization. MEAPA is representative of the PAs employed within the State of Maine, and its primary objective is to enhance quality medical care to the people of Maine through a process of continuing medical education to the membership, other health care workers, and the general public. As a constituent organization of the American Academy of Physician Associates, MEAPA meets all provisions of the AAPA's bylaws and policies and upholds the principles, purposes, and philosophy for which the AAPA was founded.

Maine Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics’ mission is to improve the lives of children and adolescents in Maine. We believe all children deserve access to high quality emotional, physical, and mental health; and we support pediatricians so they can provide the best care for children in their offices and communities. Our vision is to be the leading authority, advocate, and voice for the health of Maine’s children and for the profession of pediatrics.

The Maine Osteopathic Association (MOA) is a professional organization representing more than 1,200 osteopathic physicians, residents, and medical students in Maine whose mission is to serve the Osteopathic profession of the State of Maine through a coordinated effort of professional education, advocacy, and member services in order to ensure the availability of quality osteopathic health care to the people of this State.

The Maine Public Health Association is the state’s oldest, largest, and most diverse association for public health professionals. We represent more than 950 individual members and 80 organizations across the state. Our mission is to advance health for all people and places in Maine.