AAP Says Decision to Limit Children’s Access to Vaccines is Deeply Troubling

By Susan J. Kressly, MD, FAAP, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics 

“Today’s announcement from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., proposing to limit the availability of COVID-19 vaccines for children and young adults is deeply troubling. The American Academy of Pediatrics remains focused on increasing access to vaccines for all children, in all communities. As we enter respiratory virus season, any barrier to COVID-19 vaccination creates a dangerous vulnerability for children and their families. Respiratory illnesses can be especially risky for infants and toddlers, whose airways and lungs are small and still developing. 

“The AAP recommends the COVID-19 vaccine for all children ages 6 months through 23 months. Beyond age 2, we recommend annual shots for children and teens with health conditions that make COVID-19 especially risky. Any parent who wants their child vaccinated should have access to this vaccine; today’s unprecedented action from HHS not only prevents this option for many families, but adds further confusion and stress for parents trying to make the best choices for their children. Parents and pediatricians, together, make the best decisions to protect children’s long-term health. We urge the Administration to allow these choices to remain with medical experts and families.” 

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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.