By: Andrew D. Racine, MD, PhD, FAAP, AAP President:
“Today’s announcement by federal health officials to arbitrarily stop recommending numerous routine childhood immunizations is dangerous and unnecessary. The longstanding, evidence-based approach that has guided the U.S. immunization review and recommendation process remains the best way to keep children healthy and protect against health complications and hospitalizations.
“For decades, leading health experts, immunologists, and pediatricians have carefully reviewed new data and evidence as part of the immunization recommendation process, helping to keep newborns, infants, and children protected from diseases they could be exposed to in the United States as they develop and grow. Today’s decision, which was based on a brief review of other countries’ practices, upends this deliberate scientific process.
“Said to be modeled in part after Denmark’s approach, the new recommendations issued today by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention no longer recommend routine immunization for many diseases with known impacts on America’s children, such as hepatitis A and B, rotavirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), flu, and meningococcal disease. AAP continues to recommend that children be immunized against these diseases, and for good reason; thanks to widespread childhood immunizations, the United States has fewer pediatric hospitalizations and fewer children facing serious health challenges than we would without this community protection.
“The United States is not Denmark, and there is no reason to impose the Danish immunization schedule on America’s families. America is a unique country, and Denmark’s population, public health infrastructure, and disease-risk differ greatly from our own.
“At a time when parents, pediatricians and the public are looking for clear guidance and accurate information, this ill-considered decision will sow further chaos and confusion and erode confidence in immunizations. This is no way to make our country healthier.
“During this uncertain time, the AAP will continue to publish our own childhood vaccine recommendations. My message for parents today is this: As a parent, you know your child and what they need to thrive. Your child’s pediatrician has the medical training, special knowledge, and scientific evidence about how to support children’s health, safety and wellbeing. Working together, you can make informed decisions about what’s best for your child. If you have questions about vaccines or anything else, your child’s pediatrician is there to help.
“The Academy’s mission has never been more vital. The AAP and our pediatrician members will continue to stand up for children, just as we have done for the past 95 years.”
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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.