A pediatric association broke federal guidelines set by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. by recommending COVID-19 vaccines for young children.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released its latest vaccine recommendations on Aug. 19 that break from the federal agency's protocols.
COVID-19 Vaccines for Young Children
The AAP and many other professional medical associations decried Kennedy Jr.'s announcement in May that the COVID-19 vaccine would no longer be part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) recommended immunizations for healthy children and pregnant women.
That move went against previous expert guidance and also bypassed the normal scientific review process. The AAP released a statement on June 26, saying that it would "continue to publish its own evidence-based recommendations and schedules," noting that this was because the creation of federal immunization policy is "no longer a credible process."
The situation started after Kennedy Jr. drew widespread criticism after he fired all 17 original members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. This was the committee that provided guidance on vaccine use to the CDC, according to USA Today.
He then replaced the members with individuals who many critics claim are not qualified to be on the committee. Some of them, including Kennedy Jr., have a history of anti-vaccine advocacy and are involved in anti-vaccine groups.
The AAP's schedule lists which vaccines kids should be getting at certain ages and also provides updated guidance in influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 immunizations for children and adolescents from birth to age 18.
The vice chair of the AAP infectious diseases committee, Dr. James Campbell, said that their opinion is that they need to make the right choices for kids in order to keep them safe. The association is now strongly recommending children aged six to two years to get COVID-19 shots, NBC News reported.
Vaccinating Young Kids
Furthermore, shots are also advised for older children if their parents want their kids to be vaccinated against the disease. This is in contrast to the HHS' recommendation of not giving healthy children of any age the COVID-19 shots.
The AAP said that it has continued to review the most recently available data regarding COVID-19 risks in children, as well as the safety and effectiveness of available vaccines. It said that it was clear that the shots are very safe for all populations.
One of the reasons that the association moved from a risk-based recommendation is the fact that the hospitalization rate for young kids and children with underlying medical conditions is still high, as per KATV.
