New Jersey says childhood vaccine requirements unchanged despite new federal recommendations
TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey’s childhood vaccine requirements remain unchanged following a federal executive order recommending fewer routine vaccines for children, according to the state Department of Health.
The department said the executive order, signed Aug. 10, does not affect New Jersey law or the vaccination schedule used by families and health care providers in the state.
State health officials said the federal recommendations depart from decades of evidence and could increase the risk of preventable illness and death among children nationwide.
“Protecting children from preventable disease is one of the most fundamental responsibilities we hold, and it is one we take seriously,” said Dr. Raynard E. Washington, New Jersey Health Commissioner. “Families deserve clear, science-based guidance, not confusion. The evidence behind childhood vaccines is clear, it has not changed, and New Jersey will continue to make sure every family can access the vaccines that keep their children safe.”
The New Jersey Department of Health continues to recommend that children receive vaccines on schedule at the ages shown to provide the best protection.
The department said vaccines remain among the safest and most effective tools for preventing disease and reiterated that claims linking vaccines to autism have been extensively studied and disproven.
State officials said the department will use its authority to maintain vaccine access and provide information to families, health care providers, schools and local health partners.
Parents and caregivers with questions about vaccinations are encouraged to speak with their child’s pediatrician or health care provider.
New Jersey also reaffirmed its support for a statement issued by the Northeast Public Health Collaborative, a coalition of states, territories and large cities of which New Jersey is a founding member.
“The Northeast Public Health Collaborative (NEPHC) firmly stands in support of science-based vaccination recommendations. Accordingly, the NEPHC reaffirms its earlier endorsement of the 2026 childhood and adolescent immunization schedules issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which have also been endorsed by numerous other medical organizations. These schedules reflect the current scientific evidence on vaccine safety and effectiveness and are based on the specific disease risks and healthcare delivery context in the U.S.
“Undermining confidence in the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine — used for over five decades — during the largest measles outbreak in decades will lead to additional measles cases and, potentially, deaths. Immunizations save lives, and parents should be able to trust that the health recommendations they receive are based on science.”
Information about New Jersey’s immunization requirements for child care, preschool, K-12 schools and higher education, as well as resources for finding low- or no-cost vaccines, is available through the New Jersey Department of Health.
