Insurers Extend Routine Vaccine Coverage Through 2027 as Trump Orders Review of Childhood Immunization Schedule

AHIP announced at the end of May that its members will continue covering routine vaccines through 2027. The decision extends a similar policy already set for 2026. The announcement came after President Trump signed an executive order directing exploration of changes to the childhood immunization schedule.

The order states that the United States currently recommends more childhood vaccines than any peer nation. The executive order follows a December presidential memo that also targeted vaccine recommendations. Nearly 2,000 confirmed measles cases have been recorded so far this year, and last year saw record-high rates of whooping cough as vaccination rates declined.

A lawsuit filed by the American Academy of Pediatrics led to a court-ordered pause on changes proposed by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The judge halted the process over concerns about the selection of committee members overseen by Robert F. Kennedy, the health secretary.

Richard Hughes, a lawyer representing the AAP, said the executive order may signal that the administration plans to convene the committee soon, either through new appointments or by relying on ex officio members. He added that any changes similar to those attempted in January would violate the judge’s order.

Hughes also noted that the order has limited legal effects but may be intended to add White House weight behind future agency action.

He said he was surprised the White House moved in this direction ahead of the midterm elections. Trump’s pollsters have shown that vaccine restrictions are unpopular among voters and cautioned the White House that anti-vaccine rhetoric is politically risky ahead of the midterms, according to The Guardian.