America\u2019s leading professional pediatric association has released its latest immunization schedule, contravening current federal COVID-19 immunization guidance.<\/p>\n
The immunization schedule was published on August 19 in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)\u2019s Redbook Online<\/a> and calls for universal COVID-19 immunization beginning at 6 months. It also includes the group\u2019s formal recommendations for routine infant, children, and adolescent immunizations against 18 diseases. There are also updated recommendations for respiratory syncytial virus and influenza.<\/p>\n \u201cWe extensively reviewed the most recently available data about COVID-19 risks in kids, as well as safety and effectiveness of available COVID-19 vaccines. It\u2019s clear they are very safe for all populations,\u201d Sean O\u2019Leary, MD,<\/a> chair of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases, said in a statement.<\/p>\n In May of this year, Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, announced<\/a> in a video posted on X, that the CDC had dropped Biden era recommendations that all pregnant women and children be given the COVID-19 vaccine. The video came on the heels of the CDC\u2019s announcement<\/a> that only 13% of eligible children were up to date on their COVID-19 vaccine. In children aged 6 months to 23 months, that number was about 5%.<\/p>\n \u2018Evidence-Based\u2019 vs \u2018Conflict of Interest\u2019<\/p>\n The AAP said its COVID-19 recommendations are \u201cevidence-based\u201d and that they \u201cdiffer from recent recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the CDC, which was overhauled this year and replaced with individuals who have a history of spreading vaccine misinformation.\u201d<\/p>\n Kennedy\u2019s office shot back that the AAP is not acting in good faith.<\/p>\n \u201cBy bypassing the CDC\u2019s advisory process and freelancing its own recommendations, while smearing those who demand accountability, the AAP is putting commercial interests ahead of public health and politics above America\u2019s children,\u201d Kennedy\u2019s Communications Director, Andrew Simpson, said in a statement provided to Medscape Medical News.<\/p>\n Kennedy\u2019s office continued, \u201cThe American people deserve confidence that medical recommendations are based solely on science and public health. We call on the AAP to strengthen conflict-of-interest safeguards and keep its publications free from financial influence, ensuring every recommendation reflects only the best interests of America\u2019s children.\u201d<\/p>\n COVID-19<\/p>\n The Academy noted that because it can be fatal in children, especially those aged 6 months through 23 months; it recommends a COVID-19 vaccine for this patient population, unless they have a known allergy to the ingredients of the vaccine.<\/p>\n An age-appropriate COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for all children and adolescents 2 through 18 years of age in the following risk groups:<\/p>\n Persons at high risk for severe COVID-19Residents of long-term care facilities or other congregate settingsPersons who have never been vaccinated against COVID-19Persons whose household contacts are at high risk for severe COVID-19<\/p>\n The most updated version of the vaccine should be made available to any parent or guardian who desires their child to be protected against COVID-19, according to the Academy\u2019s recommendations.<\/p>\n