The state of Michigan has announced a significant change in how it guides childhood vaccination practices, choosing to rely on recommendations from major medical organizations rather than recent federal guidance.
In an official statement released Thursday, Michigan’s Chief Medical Executive, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, confirmed that healthcare providers across the state are now advised to follow immunization schedules developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). This move signals a departure from the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which has traditionally shaped vaccine recommendations nationwide.
State health officials explained that the decision was driven by confidence in long-standing, peer-reviewed medical guidance. Dr. Bagdasarian emphasized that the schedules published by the AAP and AAFP are grounded in extensive scientific evaluation and decades of clinical data, making them a reliable standard for protecting children’s health.
The policy shift comes amid ongoing national debate over vaccine oversight following major changes at the federal level. In June 2025, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed all existing members of the ACIP and appointed a new panel, stating that the overhaul was necessary to restore public trust in vaccine science.
Concerns among state and medical leaders intensified earlier this month when the restructured ACIP voted to remove the long-standing recommendation that newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. Michigan officials made it clear that the state will continue to support the birth-dose recommendation, citing its established safety record and public health benefits.
Dr. Bashar Yalldo, president of the Michigan chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians, welcomed the state’s decision. He noted that routine childhood immunizations, including the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns, are supported by decades of real-world evidence and have played a critical role in preventing serious diseases.
Michigan joins a growing number of states that are aligning their immunization guidance with national medical associations rather than federal advisory committees. According to the state health department, others taking a similar approach include New York, Pennsylvania, Maine, and California.
Major healthcare systems within Michigan have also expressed support for the updated recommendation. In a joint statement, leaders from Corewell Health Children’s, Mott Children’s Hospital, Henry Ford Health System, and Munson Health said the decision provides clarity for providers and reinforces confidence in safe, effective vaccination practices.
State officials stressed that the updated guidance is intended to ensure consistency, maintain vaccine access, and support informed decision-making between families and healthcare professionals as Michigan continues its focus on evidence-based public health policy.
