AAP recommends children receive COVID-19 vaccine

Published: Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 6:17 am

AAP Recommends COVID-19 Vaccination for Young Children

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is now recommending that children as young as six months old receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This recommendation, published in the AAP's updated childhood and adolescent immunization schedule, directly contradicts the previous stance of the Trump administration.

The AAP's report specifically highlights the importance of vaccinating children aged six to 23 months, citing their increased vulnerability to severe COVID-19. The organization emphasizes that vaccination should be prioritized for this age group unless there are known allergies to the vaccine or its components.

This recommendation comes in response to a shift in federal vaccine policy. In late May, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would no longer recommend COVID-19 vaccines for "healthy children." Kennedy, known for his skepticism towards vaccines, cited a lack of clinical data supporting booster shots for children.

This policy change prompted legal action from the AAP and other medical groups. They filed a lawsuit against Kennedy in July, accusing him of making "unilateral, unscientific changes" to federal vaccine policy. The lawsuit alleges that these changes pose a threat to public health and evidence-based medicine. The AAP and other medical groups are concerned that Kennedy's actions could lead to a decline in vaccination rates, potentially causing preventable harm to children.

Kennedy's actions also included the dismissal of all members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, replacing them with his own appointees. Some of these new appointees have expressed opposition to the COVID-19 vaccine or have been involved in legal actions against vaccine manufacturers.

BNN's Perspective:

The AAP's recommendation underscores the ongoing debate surrounding COVID-19 vaccination for children. While the AAP's stance is based on scientific evidence and the potential for severe illness in young children, the opposing viewpoint raises valid concerns about the long-term effects of the vaccine and the need for robust clinical data. A balanced approach, prioritizing the health and safety of children while considering all available scientific information, is crucial.

Keywords: AAP, COVID-19 vaccine, children, vaccination, immunization, recommendation, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., CDC, vaccine policy, public health, pediatric, health, vaccine skepticism, clinical data

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