CCDPH Statement on Spacing Out Childhood Vaccines

Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) continues to recommend the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) childhood immunization schedule. Our guidance is based on decades of research, scientific evidence and the expertise of pediatric health professionals. 

President Trump’s recent Executive Order on childhood vaccines does not change CCDPH’s recommendation. We do not recommend that families alter, delay or space out their children’s vaccinations based on the Executive Order. The AAP schedule remains the safest and most effective way to protect children from serious, preventable diseases. 

We understand that families want the best for their children, and that’s why we continue to recommend following the full schedule as designed. Decades of research and scientific consensus continue to confirm that the AAP schedule is the safest, most effective way to protect children from serious preventable illness.  Spacing out required vaccines into separate visits, as recently proposed, leaves children vulnerable to serious illness during the extra time between appointments, without any added safety benefit. 

This matters more than ever. Measles was declared eradicated in the U.S. in 2000, but the virus is now circulating again as vaccination rates have declined. Protecting our community against a resurging disease means keeping kids on schedule, not delaying life-saving vaccines.  

Despite a national downward trend, Illinois, including suburban Cook County, maintains high childhood vaccination rates: All vaccines, except one, required for Illinois schools are at Illinois’ goal immunization rate of 95% or higher to optimize prevention of disease spread.  

In suburban Cook County, during the 2025-2026 school year, 97% of students were vaccinated against measles. Measles case counts have been relatively low in suburban Cook County despite a nationwide spike, however, the number of unvaccinated children remains a concern. In 2025-2026, close to 12,000 children are not protected against measles. That number has doubled since 2014.  

Now is the time to make sure that children have all required immunizations before the start of the school year. Immunization requirements have not changed. Information for the 2026-27 school year can be found at Minimum Immunization Requirements Entering a Child Care Facility or School in Illinois, 2026-2027  

To find free back- to- school immunization clinics, check CCDPH’s schedule through October: Vaccination Clinics – Cook County Department of Public Health