American Academy of Pediatrics Diverges from CDC COVID-19 Recommendations

Strategic Insights -

For the first time in 30 years, the American Academy of Pediatrics has substantially diverged from US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations on COVID-19 vaccination. The AAP's new recommendations, released on Tuesday, mark a significant shift in the group's stance on vaccination, particularly for children under the age of 2. The decision comes amidst a tumultuous year for public health, with the new Trump administration actively promoting vaccine skepticism.

Key Takeaways:

  • The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends COVID-19 shots for children ages 6 months to 2 years, in contrast to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidance, which recommends shots for healthy children of any age.
  • The AAP advises shots for older children if parents want their kids vaccinated, whereas the CDC does not recommend shots for healthy children of any age.
  • The 95-year-old organization has issued vaccination recommendations for children since the 1930s, but this is the first time in 30 years that the recommendations have differed substantially from those of the CDC.
  • The AAP has a history of advising children get HPV vaccinations starting at age 9, while the CDC recommends vaccinations at ages 11 and 12.
  • There has been a significant change in the US government's stance on vaccination, with US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announcing that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women.

Statistics:

  • The AAP has advised vaccination recommendations for children since the 1930s, with this being the first significant divergence from the CDC in 30 years.
  • The CDC has been urging annual COVID-19 boosters for all Americans ages 6 months and older until recently.
  • The new advisory panel appointed by Kennedy has not yet voted on COVID-19 shot recommendations.

Sources:

  • "CDC Recommends COVID-19 Exemptions for Some Health Workers, But Not Widespread", Renae Merle, The Washington Post, May 11, 2022.
  • "What We Know About the New COVID-19 Shots and Vaccination Recommendations", National Institutes of Health, updated October 10, 2022.
  • "Decision on COVID-19 Shots for Children Coming Soon", Hannah McCarthy, CNN, June 29, 2022.