Alexandria, Va., Sept. 19, 2025 – The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) is deeply concerned by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) changes to the adult and childhood vaccine schedules and the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, a vital service that provides 74 million shots per year to low-income children. AMCP believes these changes—removal of the recommendation for the combined measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine for children under 4 years of age; limiting access to the COVID-19 vaccine for individuals under age 65; and recommending shared clinical decision-making for COVID-19 vaccines—do not align with the robust, reliable evidence in support of childhood immunization. Payers, state regulators, and community pharmacists rely on ACIP recommendations to promote access to preventive care for America’s children. AMCP CEO Susan Cantrell, RPh, MHL, CAE, issued the following statement on ACIP’s changes to the childhood vaccine schedule:
“ACIP must reverse course and preserve access to these vaccines. They shield patients from many serious illnesses that are particularly dangerous for young children, such as measles and COVID-19 Herd immunity has protected vulnerable populations from preventable diseases for decades and we risk losing that protection with ACIP’s changes."
“These changes are particularly concerning as colder months begin and respiratory illnesses spread easily. AMCP urges ACIP to preserve access and protect children’s health by reinstating the removed vaccines to the childhood vaccine schedule.”
Media Contact:
Jim Cooney
Director, Marketing Operations & Growth
@email | 703-684-2652
About AMCP
AMCP is the professional association leading the way to help patients get the medications they need at a cost they can afford. AMCP’s diverse membership of pharmacists, physicians, nurses, biopharmaceutical professionals, and other stakeholders leverage their specialized expertise in clinical evidence and economics to optimize medication benefit design and population health management and help patients access cost-effective and safe medications and other drug therapies. AMCP members improve the lives of nearly 300 million Americans served by private and public health plans, pharmacy benefit management firms, and emerging care models.
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