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Michigan’s childhood vaccine recommendations and school requirements remain unchanged despite recent federal guidance shifts, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
The state health department says it continues to follow evidence-based vaccine guidance outlined in a standing recommendation issued in Dec. 2025 by Michigan’s chief medical executive. The recommendation advises clinicians to use immunization schedules developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and endorsed by 12 leading medical and health care organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and American Medical Association.
“Michigan’s childhood vaccine recommendations, school requirements and exemption processes remain unchanged, even in light of the recent federal executive order,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive.
Monday’s clarification from the MDHHS comes a week after President Donald Trump signed an executive order calling for revamped childhood vaccine recommendations.
“We understand that shifts in federal guidance can create uncertainty for parents and physicians, so we want to provide clarity,” Bagdasarian said. “Michigan continues to support the immunization schedules outlined in our Standing Recommendation, which remain the foundation of our approach to protecting children’s health.”
The president’s order advocates separating the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine into three different single-disease shots, and administering all childhood immunizations at separate appointments whenever possible. It also directs the nation’s health department to improve research on vaccines — which are already extensively studied.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services continually reviews evidence regarding vaccine safety and effectiveness, and there is no new data to support changes to the vaccine schedule at this time. Combination vaccines, including the MMR vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella, have a long history of safety and effectiveness and can reduce the number of injections that children need.
With Michigan children set to return to school over the next few weeks, health officials are encouraging parents and caregivers to make sure their children are up to date on vaccinations. U.S. measles cases have reached a 35-year high, while Michigan has recorded increases in measles, whooping cough and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
Parents can contact their child’s health care provider to request immunization records. Records can also be requested through local health departments or MCIR.org/Public.