Recent guidance by the Department of Health and Human Services has upended the childhood immunization schedule.

But local pediatricians are prepared to follow the more traditional American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations.

“I think that following the American Academy of Pediatrics’ August 2025 schedule for immunizations is one of the most important things a family can do to ensure the health of their children,” said Dr. Brian Du Mais, a pediatrician in private practice in Orland Park.

Meredith Krogh, a pediatric nurse practitioner with NorthShore Health Systems, agrees, citing guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued in August 2025. “Our practice helps families follow the recommended vaccine schedule by calling parents one week before their child’s birthday to remind them to schedule an appointment.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics and CDC offer color-coded, easy-to-read charts detailing the schedule of recommended childhood immunizations from birth through age 18. They include vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, influenza type B, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, and hepatitis B.

To help families stay organized, Du Mais checks the child’s immunization schedule during doctor visits, tells parents about upcoming vaccines and answers their questions.

“For example, some parents come in thinking that hepatitis B is only a sexually transmitted disease, but it’s not the only way that children can get hepatitis B,” said Du Mais. “When parents come in with that misconception, we talk about it and they realize that their child is, in fact, at some risk. They’re then willing to take the step of getting their children vaccinated.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends vaccines for 18 diseases, with the number of doses depending on the disease and the child’s age. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccines for 15-20, with multiple doses.

Du Mais said that when vaccination efforts are successful, people often overlook the diseases vaccines prevent, which can lead to complacency. He pointed out that older generations remember diseases such as polio, which are eradicated or controlled through vaccination. His approach is to work with parents, focus on real risks and make vaccine decisions based on threats and the specific needs of each child.

“I think the most important thing is to recognize that any parent who has a question or a concern about vaccines and their importance or their safety is asking about it because they only want the best for their children, and they want to make sure that they’re doing everything they can to keep their children healthy,” he said. “Then, I can provide the information that they need.”

Du Mais discussed vaccine hesitancy he has observed. “I have the perspective of starting my practice in 2005, and there was a very strong wave of vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccine sentiment,” he said. He noted that, over the years, public confidence in vaccines has grown due to scientific research and public health efforts. However, recently, vaccine conversations have become intertwined with political debates, making it more challenging to promote vaccines.

“Parents voice concerns about vaccines overwhelming the immune system, containing heavy metals and possibly causing their child to get sick or become autistic after receiving them,” said Du Mais.

To address such concerns, Du Mais and Krogh personalize communications with parents. They agree that providing an accurate and historical context of the effect of vaccines helps people understand the successes and challenges of immunization. This approach combines empathy with clear, science-backed recommendations.

“In my practice, I would say the majority of parents are receptive to immunizing their children,” said Krogh. “I tell parents to be careful about where they get their information from or who they listen to,” said Krogh. “I encourage parents to read information on immunize.org. People post on social media about how they didn’t vaccinate their children, claiming they are ‘fine.’ They are looking for likes, clicks, and views. If what they claim is true, then their child is likely not getting sick thanks to the community around them that did receive vaccines.”

(Immunize.org is a nonprofit that works to keep health-care professionals and the public up-to-date on vaccination information and advocate for policies that remove barriers to vaccination.)

Krogh explains that vaccinations help the immune system fight illnesses, especially among babies, children and those with chronic conditions. After vaccination, children may experience temporary illness, indicating that their immune system is working. “For children older than 6 months with a fever of 101°F or higher, parents can give ibuprofen or acetaminophen to ease discomfort,” advised Krogh.

“The myth that vaccines cause autism has been researched and proven false several times,” said Krogh. Although some vaccines do contain tiny amounts of aluminum, they contain less than a can of soda or some cereals, she added.

“There are roughly 70,000 pediatricians in the American Academy of Pediatrics, and nearly all of us get every vaccine for each of our kids on time, every single time,” noted Du Mais. “And if 70,000 pediatricians across this country are willing to do that for the most important people in their lives, then that should really tell parents something.”