August 19 marked a sharp split in U.S. vaccine policy after the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released updated immunization guidelines that call for COVID-19 vaccination in young children. The move breaks from recent federal guidance shaped by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Why the AAP is Standing ApartThe AAP, which represents more than 65,000 board-certified pediatricians, has long been a central authority on children’s health. In June, the organization had already signaled its concern, saying the federal process for creating vaccine schedules was “no longer credible” after Kennedy dismissed the 17-member Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. That panel traditionally guides the CDC’s vaccine recommendations.Kennedy replaced the group with appointees that many in the medical community consider unqualified, several with ties to anti-vaccine organizations. The May announcement that COVID-19 vaccines would no longer be on the CDC’s recommended list for healthy children and pregnant women further deepened tensions.“The AAP will continue to provide recommendations that are rooted in science and in the best interest of children and families,” AAP President Dr. Susan J. Kressly said in a statement.Also Read: CDC No Longer Recommends COVID Vaccine For Kids And Pregnant Women - What Do Experts Think?What the AAP Recommends for KidsThe updated AAP schedule covers vaccines from birth through age 18, including influenza, RSV, and COVID-19. The pediatric group recommends:Ages 6 months to 23 months: All children should receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine to lower the risk of severe illness.Ages 2 to 18: Children and adolescents without other high-risk conditions should be offered the vaccine if not already immunized.High-risk children and adults: Those with conditions like weakened immune systems should receive the vaccine regardless of age.The organization stressed that its guidance is based on peer-reviewed evidence, countering federal messaging that leaves vaccination decisions to parental consultation with physicians.Federal Guidance Under KennedyThe CDC has not completely eliminated COVID-19 vaccination from its schedule but shifted language in August to a softer stance. Instead of recommending annual doses for children, the agency now advises parents to “consult with their child’s physician” to decide.Kennedy has said publicly that the vaccine should be reserved for people over 65 or those at high risk. The CDC website still lists recommendations for everyone over six months, but with a notice that the information is being updated to reflect new schedules.Experts have warned this change may create barriers to access, since insurance coverage often mirrors CDC recommendations. Families who want their children vaccinated but do not fall under the new federal priority categories could be forced to pay out of pocket.Read More: FDA Approves New Covid Vaccine For Kids With Selective EligibilityThe Growing Clash Between AAP and HHSThe disagreement has sparked sharp exchanges between pediatric leaders and the federal government. HHS Communications Director Andrew Nixon accused the AAP of advancing commercial interests, citing pharmaceutical funding ties.“By bypassing the CDC’s advisory process and issuing its own recommendations, the AAP is putting politics above children’s health,” Nixon said in a statement.Kennedy echoed those concerns on social media, calling the pediatric guidance “corporate-friendly” and suggesting it primarily benefits vaccine manufacturers. He also warned that diverging from federal recommendations could leave doctors legally vulnerable, since liability protections under the Vaccine Injury Act apply only to CDC-approved schedules.AAP President Dr. Kressly rejected those claims. “This attack on the integrity of pediatricians is unfortunate, but it does not change the facts. Our immunization recommendations are rooted in decades of peer-reviewed science,” she said.What Comes NextThe newly appointed federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has not yet voted on COVID-19 guidance and is expected to meet again in early fall. Meanwhile, the FDA is weighing whether to revoke authorization of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for healthy children.The split leaves parents facing a confusing landscape. While federal authorities have scaled back recommendations, pediatricians say the science still supports protecting children with the COVID-19 shot. As the AAP put it, the mission is clear: to keep kids, families, and communities healthy, regardless of shifting political winds.
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