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COVID-19

American Academy of Pediatrics Diverges from US Government Vaccine Recommendations

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The American Academy of Pediatrics has released new COVID-19 recommendations that diverge significantly from US government guidance. The recommendations, released Tuesday, come amid a tumultuous year for public health, with vaccine skeptics gaining power in the new Trump administration. The AAP strongly recommends COVID-19 shots for children ages 6 months to 2 years and advises vaccination for older children with chronic lung diseases or other conditions that put them at higher risk for severe disease. However, this recommendation contradicts guidance established under US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which does not recommend shots for healthy children of any age.

Key Takeaways:

  • The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released new COVID-19 recommendations that differ significantly from US government guidance.
  • The AAP strongly recommends COVID-19 shots for children ages 6 months to 2 years, citing their high risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
  • Vaccinations are also recommended for older children with chronic lung diseases or other conditions that put them at higher risk for severe disease.
  • The recommendations contradict guidance established under US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who does not recommend shots for healthy children of any age.
  • The AAP has a 95-year-old history of issuing vaccination recommendations for children, and this is the first time in 30 years that they have diverged from US government recommendations in a significant way.
  • The AAP's infectious diseases committee, led by Dr. James Campbell, made the decision to diverge from government guidance, citing the need to protect children from COVID-19.

Statistics:

  • 6 months to 2 years: The age group for which the AAP strongly recommends COVID-19 shots.
  • 95: The number of years the American Academy of Pediatrics has issued vaccination recommendations for children.
  • 30 years: The length of time since the AAP last diverged from government vaccine recommendations in a significant way.
  • 65 and older: The age group that public health experts have increasingly discussed as a focus for vaccination efforts, given their higher risk for death and hospitalization.

Sources:

  • The Associated Press. (n.d.). New pediatrician recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines differ with US government guidance. Retrieved from
  • “Itasca, Illinois-based organization.” — New York (AP) — [1]
  • The AP is solely responsible for all content. Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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