US Covid vaccine policy for kids: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is recommending that children as young as six months receive the COVID-19 vaccine, setting its guidance apart from the current federal stance under the Trump administration’s health agencies.
In its updated childhood immunisation schedule released this week, the AAP advised vaccinations against COVID-19, influenza, and RSV for individuals under 18, emphasising that infants and toddlers aged 6–23 months face the greatest risk of severe outcomes.
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This contrasts with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) current position, which leaves vaccination decisions for children aged six months through 17 years to “shared clinical decision-making” between families and healthcare providers.
AAP leaders said their guidance reflected decades of paediatric expertise and the need to counter widespread misinformation. “What has changed is that this year, we’re doing it in the environment of misinformation, which makes it more important than ever that we provide clear and confident guidance,” said Dr Susan Kressly, president of the AAP.
The announcement comes months after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. halted CDC recommendations for routine COVID-19 vaccination in healthy children. Kennedy defended the move as an effort to restore “science, transparency, and public trust,” while accusing the AAP of “undermining national immunisation policymaking” and failing to disclose corporate ties.
Critics warn that the divide between federal agencies and medical groups could affect insurance coverage, since many payers rely on CDC recommendations.
(Source: Reuters news agency)
