The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the COVID-19 vaccine for very young children, a break from current US CDC recommendations

The American Academy of Pediatrics released its updated recommendations for vaccines, including COVID-19 shots for infants and young children, which is a break from recent recommendations of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.“It differs 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,” the AAP said in a press release. The AAP said that it will continue to provide recommendations for immunizations that are ‘rooted in science and are in the best interest of the health of infants, children, and adolescents.’ “Pediatricians know how important routine childhood immunizations are in keeping children, families, and their communities healthy and thriving,” AAP President Susan J Kressly, MD, FAAP, said.AAP's announcement comes after US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr decided to halt CDC recommendations for healthy children to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in May. Previously, the CDC had advised that everyone aged six months and older should receive the latest available dose.AAP’s updated recommendations include routine immunizations for infants, children, and adolescents for 18 diseases, including RSV, influenza, and COVID-19 immunizations. The AAP is strongly recommending COVID-19 shots for children ages 6 months to 2 years. Shots are also advised for older children if parents want their kids vaccinated.Along with the updated recommendations for three respiratory viruses, the new schedule also incorporates recent updates regarding the pentavalent meningococcal vaccine, the starting age of the Human Papilloma Virus vaccine, and the removal of a hepatitis vaccine that is no longer available.“The AAP urges every insurer to cover all the vaccines that are included in this immunization schedule,” Dr. Kressly said.RecommendationsCOVID-19As infants and children at the age of 6 to 23 months are most susceptible to the highest risk of severe COVID-19, AAP recommends the vaccine for them.Beyond the recommendations for all children under 2, the AAP advises a single dose of age-appropriate COVID-19 vaccine for all children and adolescents aged 2–18 years who belong to the high-risk groups:“We extensively reviewed the most recently available data about COVID-19 risks in kids, as well as the safety and effectiveness of available COVID-19 vaccines. It's clear they are very safe for all populations. Among the reasons we decided to move to a risk-based recommendation for healthy older children is the fact that the hospitalization rate for young children and children with underlying medical conditions remains high, in line with rates for many of the other vaccine-preventable diseases for which we vaccinate,” Sean O’Leary, MD, FAAP, chair of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases, said. RSVRespiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) affects the lungs and airways and is airborne. It also spreads by physical contact.“Babies who become infected with RSV can get much sicker than older kids because their lungs and airways are so tiny. There are two ways to help your baby get ahead of this serious respiratory illness. Moms who get the RSV vaccine during their pregnancy can pass important antibodies to their developing baby through the placenta. Or new babies can get an RSV shot for RSV season. Well-timed RSV immunizations help babies stay healthy,” Kristina Bryant, MD, FAAP, a member of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases, said.Immunization for infants younger than 8 months who are born during or entering their first RSV season if the pregnant parent did not receive the vaccine during pregnancy, if the vaccination status is unknown, or if the infant was born less than 14 days after the pregnant parent received the vaccine.Immunization for infants and children 8 through 19 months of age at high risk of severe RSV disease and entering their second RSV season. High-risk infants include children with chronic lung disease, immunocompromise, or cystic fibrosis, as well as other groups.InfluenzaInfluenza, aka the flu, is a viral infection of the nose, throat, and lungs. It is airborne. AAP recommends getting annual vaccine shots for all children starting at 6 months.“The flu can be much more serious than just a cold or run-of-the-mill viral infection, especially for children under the age of 5 or those with conditions like asthma or diabetes. It is also something that kids can catch and spread easily. An annual influenza immunization helps your child’s immune system recognize and resist the virus so they can stay in school, go on playdates, and do the things kids love doing,” Dr. Bryant said.