Statement From the Northeast Public Health Collaborative on the President’s August 10, 2026, Executive Order Regarding Immunizations

The New York State Department of Health is Sending the Following on Behalf of the Northeast Public Health Collaborative

ALBANY, N.Y. (August 18, 2026) - 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.

The Northeast Public Health Collaborative (NEPHC) is a voluntary coalition of 16 public health agencies working together to share expertise, improve coordination, enhance capacity, strengthen regional readiness and protect evidence-based public health in our jurisdictions. The Collaborative does not necessarily speak on behalf of every member agency or state, and each member retains its own independent positions and authorities.