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The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released a new set of childhood immunization recommendations that significantly diverge from recently updated guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reigniting debate over vaccine policy and public health standards in the United States.

In guidance published Monday, the AAP reaffirmed its support for a comprehensive vaccination schedule that protects children against 18 infectious diseases, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hepatitis A and B, influenza, rotavirus, and meningococcal disease. The CDC’s revised schedule, released earlier this month, scaled back routine childhood vaccination recommendations to 11 diseases, limiting several shots to children classified as high risk.

AAP Defends Science Based Schedule

AAP President Dr. Andrew Racine said the organization’s position reflects decades of medical evidence and prioritizes the health of infants, children, and adolescents.

The academy stressed that its immunization schedule has not changed and continues to align with long standing pediatric practice across the country. Pediatricians, the group said, should continue following the AAP framework when advising families.

Dr. Amanda Kravitz, a pediatrician at Weill Cornell Medicine, echoed that message, saying parents should understand that no vaccines have been removed from the AAP’s guidance.

She emphasized that the recommendations pediatricians have relied on for years remain intact and that families should consult directly with their child’s doctor to address questions or concerns.

Where AAP and CDC Differ

Both the AAP and CDC continue to recommend vaccinations against diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, HPV, and chickenpox.

However, the CDC now recommends that vaccines for RSV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal disease, dengue, influenza, and COVID 19 be reserved primarily for children in high risk categories. For others, the CDC advises parents to decide through shared clinical decision making with healthcare providers.

The AAP rejected that narrower approach, arguing it creates confusion and increases the risk of preventable illness. The organization continues to recommend routine vaccination for most children, with the exception of the dengue vaccine, which it limits to specific age groups in regions where the disease is endemic and only for children previously infected. The AAP noted that dengue vaccine distribution in the U.S. was halted last year due to low demand.

Insurance Coverage and Access

Despite the CDC’s updated guidance, pediatric experts say vaccines not explicitly recommended for all children should remain covered by insurance.

Kravitz said families should not face financial barriers if they choose to vaccinate their children, noting that insurers typically follow physician recommendations and preventive care standards.

Political and Policy Context

The split follows a controversial decision by the CDC’s advisory panel in December to delay the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine for certain newborns. The panel, appointed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., voted to recommend postponing the shot until two months of age for infants born to mothers who test negative for the virus.

Kennedy, a longtime critic of vaccine policy, has said vaccines remain available and fully covered, though he acknowledged additional steps are now required for some immunizations, including influenza.

Public health experts have warned that inconsistent messaging could undermine confidence in routine vaccination and increase the risk of outbreaks.

AAP Warns of Public Health Risks

In a statement, the AAP said it no longer collaborates with the CDC on a unified vaccine schedule, citing concerns that the revised federal guidance departs from established science and weakens disease prevention efforts.

The CDC, under the Department of Health and Human Services, defended its approach, saying the updated schedule maintains protection against serious illness while aligning U.S. policy with international standards.

As pediatricians prepare to implement the AAP guidance, both organizations say continued dialogue with families will be critical to navigating the evolving vaccine landscape.