FROM THE HILL: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended Tuesday that children between 6 months and 23 months old receive the vaccine to protect them against serious illness caused by the virus.
Kids under the age of 2 are especially vulnerable to severe COVID-19, the group said, and should be prioritized for vaccination unless they have an allergy to the jab or its ingredients.
In May, Kennedy announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would no longer recommend routine COVID-19 shots for healthy children due to a lack of clinical data justifying the need for annual vaccinations against the virus.
But the CDC did not follow Kennedy’s guidance to the letter, instead recommending that parents take part in a “shared decision making” process with health care providers to determine if their child needs the shot.
The report notes that the AAP gives guidance to support pediatricians, “but it has not traditionally differed substantially from federal recommendations.” In diverging from HHS, the AAP appears to be bypassing perceived vaccine skeptics to speak directly to Americans.
This is a screenshot from American Academy of Pediatrics’ webpage, thanking the organization’s top corporate donors. These four companies make virtually every vaccine on the CDC recommended childhood vaccine schedule. AAP is angry that CDC has eliminated corporate influence in… pic.twitter.com/WtWe6vnUrw
— Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) August 19, 2025
The American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 6 months to 23 months, diverging from federal guidance.
Dr. Susan Kressly, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, joins ABC News Live to discuss the decision. pic.twitter.com/mPM1fnKaXW
— ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) August 19, 2025
FROM THE HILL
