AAP: COVID shots for 6-23 months; divergence from federal policy

The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a new set of COVID-19 vaccination recommendations for children, marking the first substantial divergence from federal guidance in three decades. The AAP calls for COVID-19 shots for most infants and toddlers aged 6 to 23 months and advises vaccination for older children who are at high risk of severe disease, as well as for pregnant people. The move comes amid a period of political and institutional upheaval in U.S. public health, including significant changes to the federal vaccine advisory apparatus and shifting booster policies.

Under the new guidance, the AAP strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccination for all children from 6 months through 2 years, a cohort the organization identifies as particularly vulnerable to severe outcomes from the virus. For older children, the AAP says vaccination should be considered for those with underlying conditions that elevate risk, with eligibility expanding further if parental or patient preference aligns with a protective strategy. The group continues to emphasize that immunizations should be informed by science and tailored to the health needs of each child, and it also recommends that pregnant...