HJAR May/Jun 2026

Clarifying the Current Childhood Immunization Schedule for Arkansas Providers Editor’s Note: Recently, we received a call from Gary Wheeler, MD, a member of the Arkansas chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, who was concerned that we ran a news brief, “CDC Updates Childhood Immunization Recommendations,” in our March/April issue without presenting the other side. He believed it was dangerous to publish CDC’s updated recommendations without additional context, and that a family practice physician might follow them to the detriment of a patient. Since the immunization recommendations were issued, a lawsuit has temporarily blocked most of the changes to the CDC’s childhood vaccine schedule advanced under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and frozen the reworked advisory panel, though it did not fully reverse the COVID vaccine guidance changes. In other words, the overall picture remains unsettled. The American Academy of Pediatrics has been among the most vocal groups responding to these changes. We offered the Arkansas chapter an opportunity to share its perspective on a debate that has left both practitioners and parents confused. In this pivotal moment, we hope our leaders will abide by the most important tenet of all: DO NO HARM. by Meghan Repp, MD, FAAP President, Arkansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I  MAY / JUN 2026 27