Statement on New Federal Childhood Vaccine Recommendations

Dr. Bill Wright, chief medical officer at Colorado Access, released the following statement in response to federal childhood vaccine schedule changes announced this week: 

“Recent, unprecedented action by the federal government to overhaul the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule will result in fewer recommended vaccinations and therefore expose more children to the risk of preventable diseases. Creating tiers makes it unclear as to which vaccines are safe and effective in preventing disease, causing additional confusion for families. 

All immunizations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as of December 31, 2025, will continue to be fully covered by Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program), Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), and the Vaccines for Children program. Families may still choose to follow the 2025 vaccine schedule and will not have to pay for those vaccines out of pocket. I strongly encourage families to do so, as there is clear, well-documented evidence that vaccines are safe and effective. 

The U.S. childhood vaccine schedule is carefully designed to protect children from serious diseases at critical points in their growth and development. Childhood vaccinations prevent millions of illnesses, hospitalizations, deaths, and long-term disabilities. By preventing illness that leads to missed work and school days, vaccines also help families avoid lost income and spare our state from soaring health care costs, at a time when it is already dealing with a significant budget shortfall. 

Access to affordable, high-quality preventive care, such as vaccines, is essential to the health of our communities. Members and the community should consult with their health care providers if they have questions about the safety or efficacy of vaccines.”