FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 26, 2026

Media Contacts:
Ginnie Flynn, Illinois Academy of Family Physicians, gflynn@iafp.com and 773/754-1185
Jennie Pinkwater, Illinois Chapter – American Academy of Pediatrics, jpinkwater@illinoisaap.com and 312/971-7672

Statement is attributed to:
Corinne Kohler, MD, FAAFP, President, Illinois Academy of Family Physicians
Anita Chandra-Puri, MD, FAAP, President, Illinois Chapter – American Academy of Pediatrics

Illinois Pediatricians and Family Physicians Stand Together for Evidence-Based Childhood Immunization
The Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP) and Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP), representing physicians who care for children and families throughout Illinois, stand united in support of childhood immunization recommendations grounded in rigorous scientific evidence.

Recent federal efforts to significantly alter longstanding childhood vaccine recommendations, without new scientific evidence to support those changes, threaten to create more confusion at precisely the wrong time.

Vaccines are among the most thoroughly studied and effective tools available to prevent serious illness, disability and death. Decades of research and clinical experience support their safety and effectiveness. When children receive recommended immunizations on time, they receive protection when they need it most, and schools, families and communities are healthier and contagious diseases are harder to spread.

While the vast majority of parents still choose to vaccinate their children, any decline in vaccination rates is concerning. Vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and whooping cough are resurging. Undermining confidence in proven science and evidence on the safety and effectiveness of immunizations carries serious public health consequences.

Illinois families should continue to have conversations with their pediatricians and family physicians and make health decisions based on trusted, evidence-based medical guidance, not rumors.

Our message to Illinois families is clear: We will continue to follow the evidence, answer your questions and advocate for the health and safety of your children.
ICAAP and the IAFP stand together with our national organizations, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians, in defending evidence-based medicine and the integrity of the physician-patient relationship.

###

The Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, also known as ICAAP, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization composed of over 2,000 pediatricians in Illinois. As an organization, we work to build stronger communities by improving health care for children in our state.

Founded in 1947, the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is a professional medical society dedicated to upholding high standards in family medicine and representing nearly 4,300 family physicians, residents, and medical students. We are a constituent chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), representing over 128,300 members nationwide.