The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has updated its childhood immunization schedule to recommend Covid-19 vaccination for children as young as six months old, diverging from current federal guidance. The new guidelines suggest that children under 18 who are at higher risk of serious illness from Covid-19 should receive the vaccine.
According to the AAP, infants and toddlers between six and 23 months face the greatest risk for severe outcomes from Covid-19, making vaccination a crucial measure against serious illness. However, the organization notes that it differs from recent recommendations of the CDC’s advisory committee on immunization practices (ACIP), which was overhauled this year.
The CDC currently advises that Covid-19 vaccinations for children aged six months through 17 years should be determined through “shared clinical decision-making”. The AAP recommends vaccination for anyone under 18 who is at higher risk, resides in a long-term care or congregate living facility, has not previously been vaccinated, or shares a household with someone at elevated risk.
The update comes after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. decided to halt CDC recommendations for healthy children to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. Kennedy accused the AAP of being “corporate-friendly” due to its funding from pharmaceutical companies, but the organization maintains that it is committed to providing clear and confident guidance.
The AAP’s updated recommendation aims to provide a level of protection against serious illness for vulnerable populations, despite disagreements with federal agencies over immunization practices. As medical groups continue to debate the role of science in making recommendations, families rely on organizations like the AAP for guidance on keeping their children safe.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/19/pediatrics-academy-covid-19-vaccine-recommendation