Introduction to the New COVID-19 Shot Recommendations
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released new COVID-19 shot recommendations that differ from the advice given by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This marks the first time in 30 years that the AAP has substantially diverged from U.S. government vaccine recommendations. The new guidelines come amid a tumultuous year for public health, with vaccine skeptics gaining power in the new Trump administration and government guidance becoming increasingly confusing.
Background on the AAP and CDC Recommendations
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. This differs from the guidance established under U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which doesn’t recommend the shots for healthy children of any age but says kids may get the shots in consultation with physicians. Children ages 6 months to 2 years are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19, and it was important that recommendations continue to emphasize the need for them to get vaccinated.
Reasons Behind the Difference in Recommendations
The AAP’s decision to differ from the CDC’s recommendations was based on the need to protect children from severe illness. Vaccinations are also recommended for older children who have chronic lung diseases or other conditions that put them at higher risk for severe disease. The AAP’s recommendations are based on the latest scientific evidence and are intended to provide the best possible protection for children.
Reaction from the Department of Health and Human Services
The Department of Health and Human Services has criticized the AAP’s new recommendations, saying that they are undermining national immunization policymaking with baseless political attacks. The department has accused the AAP of putting commercial interests ahead of public health, noting that vaccine manufacturers have been donors to the AAP’s Friends of Children Fund.
History of the AAP and CDC Recommendations
The AAP has issued vaccination recommendations for children since the 1930s. In 1995, it synced its advice with recommendations made by the CDC. There have been a few small differences between AAP and CDC recommendations since then, but this is the first time the recommendations have differed in a significant or substantial way.
Recent Changes in COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Until recently, the CDC has been urging annual COVID-19 boosters for all Americans ages 6 months and older. However, in May, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. A few days later, the CDC issued language that healthy children may get the shots, but that there was no longer a “should” recommendation.
Impact of the New Recommendations
The new recommendations may cause confusion among parents and healthcare providers. However, the AAP believes that its recommendations are necessary to protect children from severe illness. The AAP’s guidelines are based on the latest scientific evidence and are intended to provide the best possible protection for children.
Comparison with Other Vaccine Recommendations
The AAP’s recommendations for COVID-19 shots differ from those for other vaccines, such as the flu vaccine. The AAP recommends that doctors use any licensed flu vaccine product that’s appropriate for the patient, while the CDC’s new advisory panel has voted that people should only get flu vaccines that are packaged as single doses and do not contain the preservative thimerosal.
By MIKE STOBBE, AP Medical Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — For the first time in 30 years, the American Academy of Pediatrics is substantially diverging from U.S. government vaccine recommendations.
The group’s new COVID-19 recommendations — released Tuesday — come amid a tumultuous year for public health, as vaccine skeptics have come into power in the new Trump administration and government guidance has become increasingly confusing.
This isn’t going to help, acknowledged Dr. James Campbell, vice chair of the AAP infectious diseases committee.
“It is going to be somewhat confusing. But our opinion is we need to make the right choices for children to protect them,” he added.
The AAP is strongly recommending COVID-19 shots for children ages 6 months to 2 years. Shots also are advised for older children if parents want their kids vaccinated, the AAP said.
That differs from guidance established under U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which doesn’t recommend the shots for healthy children of any age but says kids may get the shots in consultation with physicians.
Children ages 6 months to 2 years are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19, and it was important that recommendations continue to emphasize the need for them to get vaccinated, said Campbell, a University of Maryland infectious diseases expert.
Vaccinations also are recommended for older children who have chronic lung diseases or other conditions that put them at higher risk for severe disease, the AAP said.
In a statement, Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Andrew Nixon said “the AAP is undermining national immunization policymaking with baseless political attacks.”
He accused the group of putting commercial interests ahead of public health, noting that vaccine manufacturers have been donors to the AAP’s Friends of Children Fund. The fund is currently paying for projects on a range of topics, including health equity and prevention of injuries and deaths from firearms.
The 95-year-old Itasca, Illinois-based organization has issued vaccination recommendations for children since the 1930s. In 1995, it synced its advice with recommendations made by the federal government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There have been a few small differences between AAP and CDC recommendations since then. For example, the AAP has advised that children get HPV vaccinations starting at age 9; the CDC says that’s OK but has emphasized vaccinations at ages 11 and 12.
But in 30 years, this is the first time the recommendations have differed “in a significant or substantial way,” Campbell said.
Until recently, the CDC — following recommendations by infectious disease experts — has been urging annual COVID-19 boosters for all Americans ages 6 months and older.
But in May, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. A few days later, the CDC issued language that healthy children may get the shots, but that there was no longer a “should” recommendation.
The idea that healthy older kids may be able to skip COVID-19 boosters has been brewing for some time among public health experts. As the COVID-19 pandemic has waned, experts have increasingly discussed the possibility of focusing vaccination efforts on people 65 and older — who are among those most as risk for death and hospitalization.
A CDC expert panel in June was set to make recommendations about the fall shots. Among the options the panel was considering was whether suggest shots for high-risk groups but still giving lower-risk people the choice to get vaccinated.
But Kennedy bypassed the group, and also decided to dismiss the 17-member panel and appoint his own, smaller panel, that included vaccine skeptics. Kennedy also later excluded the AAP, the American Medical Association and other top medical organizations from working with the advisers to establish vaccination recommendations.
Kennedy’s new vaccine panel has yet to vote on COVID-19 shot recommendations.
The panel did endorse continuing to recommend fall flu vaccinations, but also made a decision that led to another notable difference with the AAP.
The new advisory panel voted that people should only get flu vaccines that are packaged as single doses and do not contain the preservative thimerosal.
The AAP said there is no evidence of harm from the preservative, and recommended doctors use any licensed flu vaccine product that’s appropriate for the patient.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Originally Published: August 19, 2025 at 9:19 AM EDT
Conclusion
The AAP’s new COVID-19 shot recommendations differ from the CDC’s advice, and this difference may cause confusion among parents and healthcare providers. However, the AAP believes that its recommendations are necessary to protect children from severe illness. The AAP’s guidelines are based on the latest scientific evidence and are intended to provide the best possible protection for children.
FAQs
Q: What are the new COVID-19 shot recommendations from the AAP?
A: The AAP is strongly recommending COVID-19 shots for children ages 6 months to 2 years, and also advises shots for older children if parents want their kids vaccinated.
Q: How do the AAP’s recommendations differ from the CDC’s advice?
A: The AAP’s recommendations differ from the CDC’s advice in that they recommend COVID-19 shots for healthy children, while the CDC does not.
Q: What is the reason behind the difference in recommendations?
A: The AAP believes that its recommendations are necessary to protect children from severe illness, while the CDC’s new advisory panel has voted that people should only get flu vaccines that are packaged as single doses and do not contain the preservative thimerosal.
Q: Will the new recommendations cause confusion among parents and healthcare providers?
A: Yes, the new recommendations may cause confusion among parents and healthcare providers, but the AAP believes that its recommendations are necessary to protect children from severe illness.
Q: What is the AAP’s
