Health Provides Federal Vaccine Guidance Update

The Impact of Recent Federal Recommendations and What's Next

For Immediate Release: August 17, 2026

The Kansas City Health Department (KCHD) held a press conference on Friday, August 14, 2026, to discuss the recent executive order announcing changes to the routine childhood vaccination schedule.

KCHD leaders and specialists with various medical backgrounds shared information about how this new executive order will impact Kansas City students and their vaccination requirements.

What Was Announced:

The executive order signed on August 10 calls for a review of the nation's current vaccine schedule and practices. It suggests:

• Keeping some vaccines recommended for all children.
• Giving parents and doctors more input on certain vaccine decisions.
• Exploring the option of offering some vaccines as separate shots instead of combination vaccines.
• Conducting more research on vaccine safety and timing.

What This Means for Families:
Right now, nothing has changed.

• All healthcare providers are advised to continue providing vaccinations according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
• The recommended childhood vaccine schedule remains the same.
• School vaccination requirements have not changed.
• Insurance coverage for vaccines has not changed.
• KCHD continues to offer the same vaccines and services.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to stay on their child's recommended vaccine schedule and talk with their health care provider if they have questions.

To help caregivers prepare for the school year, KCHD is still operating on extended hours for back-to-school vaccinations.

Current operating hours are extended until 7 PM on Wednesdays:

• 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
• 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday

Additionally, a Saturday Immunization Clinic will offer services from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Both walk-ins and appointments are welcome. These clinics will offer required vaccines for children, teens, and young adults as well as catch-up vaccines.

Residents are encouraged to remain vaccinated to support healthy students and healthy schools.