US Doctors Revert to Time-Tested Vaccination Guidelines Amid CDC Controversy
A growing divide in US healthcare over vaccination recommendations has led many doctors to return to established guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP's updated vaccine schedule, released last week, includes a new immunization against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and minor adjustments. In contrast, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revised its vaccination schedule earlier this month, which has sparked controversy among medical professionals.
The CDC's changes have left many doctors wary of the agency's recommendations, with some citing a lack of scientific basis and increased confusion among parents. In response, the AAP is now being relied upon as the primary guide for vaccine schedules in various states. This shift reflects a growing distrust in the federal government's handling of vaccination policies.
"We will continue to follow the science," said Dr. Claudia Hoyen, a pediatric infectious disease specialist and director of pediatric innovation at UH Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland. "The science hasn't changed; it's just that we're now following the evidence-based guidelines."
The AAP's updated recommendations include routine immunization against RSV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rotavirus, flu, and meningococcal disease. Twelve major medical and health care organizations have endorsed these recommendations, including the American Medical Association, the National Medical Association, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
In contrast, the CDC narrowed recommendations for protection against meningococcal disease, hepatitis B, and hepatitis A to children who are at higher risk for infections. The updated schedule also recommends that decisions on vaccinations against flu, Covid-19, and rotavirus be based on "shared clinical decision-making," which requires consultation with a healthcare provider.
While the CDC's revised vaccine schedule was touted as a way to rebuild trust in public health, many doctors say they're now relying on the AAP's guidelines instead. This shift reflects a growing divide between advice from the federal government and those from medical professionals.
"For now, unfortunately, we have to ignore everything about vaccines that is coming from our federal government," said Dr. Sean O'Leary, chair of the AAP's Committee on Infectious Diseases. "Parents should trust their pediatrician, trust the professional societies like the American Academy of Pediatrics."
As states begin to follow the AAP's recommendations, there is a growing concern about the implications for vaccine requirements in schools and other settings.
"For the first time in our country, we're going to have really varying laws, policies, and attitudes about vaccines based on where people live," said Jen Kates, a co-author of an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). "It's a major sea change in public health policy."
While some doctors express concerns about reverting to established guidelines, others acknowledge the need for caution amid growing misinformation about vaccines.
"We have families that come into our clinic that traditionally have been very accepting of vaccines and they want to know if this new recommendation is evidence-based," said Dr. Sarah Elizabeth DeRoo, a pediatrician at Children's National in Washington, DC. "We've been giving messaging to our patients that we're continuing to follow the recommended schedule by the American Academy of Pediatrics."
The divide between advice from the CDC and medical professionals has led to confusion among parents and healthcare providers alike.
"We are seeing the vaccine conversation come up more and more frequently because of fear of this and general misinformation spreading online," said Dr. Nina Alfieri, Continuity Clinic director with Lurie Children's Pediatrics at Uptown in Chicago. "We always want families to feel welcome coming to clinic with their questions."
As vaccination rates continue to decline in the United States, it remains to be seen how this growing divide will impact public health policies and children's safety.
A growing divide in US healthcare over vaccination recommendations has led many doctors to return to established guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP's updated vaccine schedule, released last week, includes a new immunization against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and minor adjustments. In contrast, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revised its vaccination schedule earlier this month, which has sparked controversy among medical professionals.
The CDC's changes have left many doctors wary of the agency's recommendations, with some citing a lack of scientific basis and increased confusion among parents. In response, the AAP is now being relied upon as the primary guide for vaccine schedules in various states. This shift reflects a growing distrust in the federal government's handling of vaccination policies.
"We will continue to follow the science," said Dr. Claudia Hoyen, a pediatric infectious disease specialist and director of pediatric innovation at UH Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland. "The science hasn't changed; it's just that we're now following the evidence-based guidelines."
The AAP's updated recommendations include routine immunization against RSV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rotavirus, flu, and meningococcal disease. Twelve major medical and health care organizations have endorsed these recommendations, including the American Medical Association, the National Medical Association, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
In contrast, the CDC narrowed recommendations for protection against meningococcal disease, hepatitis B, and hepatitis A to children who are at higher risk for infections. The updated schedule also recommends that decisions on vaccinations against flu, Covid-19, and rotavirus be based on "shared clinical decision-making," which requires consultation with a healthcare provider.
While the CDC's revised vaccine schedule was touted as a way to rebuild trust in public health, many doctors say they're now relying on the AAP's guidelines instead. This shift reflects a growing divide between advice from the federal government and those from medical professionals.
"For now, unfortunately, we have to ignore everything about vaccines that is coming from our federal government," said Dr. Sean O'Leary, chair of the AAP's Committee on Infectious Diseases. "Parents should trust their pediatrician, trust the professional societies like the American Academy of Pediatrics."
As states begin to follow the AAP's recommendations, there is a growing concern about the implications for vaccine requirements in schools and other settings.
"For the first time in our country, we're going to have really varying laws, policies, and attitudes about vaccines based on where people live," said Jen Kates, a co-author of an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). "It's a major sea change in public health policy."
While some doctors express concerns about reverting to established guidelines, others acknowledge the need for caution amid growing misinformation about vaccines.
"We have families that come into our clinic that traditionally have been very accepting of vaccines and they want to know if this new recommendation is evidence-based," said Dr. Sarah Elizabeth DeRoo, a pediatrician at Children's National in Washington, DC. "We've been giving messaging to our patients that we're continuing to follow the recommended schedule by the American Academy of Pediatrics."
The divide between advice from the CDC and medical professionals has led to confusion among parents and healthcare providers alike.
"We are seeing the vaccine conversation come up more and more frequently because of fear of this and general misinformation spreading online," said Dr. Nina Alfieri, Continuity Clinic director with Lurie Children's Pediatrics at Uptown in Chicago. "We always want families to feel welcome coming to clinic with their questions."
As vaccination rates continue to decline in the United States, it remains to be seen how this growing divide will impact public health policies and children's safety.
. I mean, who needs a bunch of 'experts' telling you what to do? It's just too convenient that the AAP is stepping in as the new 'go-to' guide 
. Like, isn't it great that parents can now make their own decisions about vaccines based on... their own research and instincts? 
And yeah, let's all ignore the science-based recommendations from the CDC – I'm sure it's just a bunch of outdated info anyway 
. The fact that doctors are having to "ignore everything" about vaccine advice is basically a great thing for public health 
. It's like, finally, we can have some freedom to make our own choices without all those pesky 'experts' telling us what to do! 
vaccine chaos 
[Image: A cartoon of a person surrounded by conflicting signs with vaccines] 
What's the science? 
"For now, unfortunately, we have to ignore everything about vaccines that is coming from our federal government." 
[Image: A meme of Dr. Sean O'Leary with a disappointed expression]
anyway it seems like the AAP is now in charge of what we should be getting vaccinated against and some doctors are saying that parents should just talk to their pediatrician for advice on vaccines. 
makes sense, right?
i'm low-key curious about it...
I'm getting really concerned about the whole CDC vs AAP thing on vaccines 
. As a wellness guru, I always say that when it comes to our bodies, we should trust science 
. But with all these conflicting guidelines, it's hard for people (especially parents) to know what's safe and what's not 
. If they're not on the same page, how can we expect parents to trust their pediatrician's advice? 
It's like, don't get me wrong, I'm all about autonomy and informed decision-making, but when it comes to something as crucial as vaccines, shouldn't we be following evidence-based guidelines that are backed by science? 
. In the meantime, I'll keep spreading the word about the importance of vaccines and trust in science 
.
. But at the same time, I feel like we need some clarity and consistency on vaccination policies across the country 
. It's just... so many parents and families are already stressed out about this stuff, and now they've got another variable to consider 
. It's crazy how fast things have changed in just a few months. The AAP's recommendations make total sense to me – why would you deviate from evidence-based medicine? 
. Can't we just agree on one thing here? 
I'm telling ya, back in my day we didn't question authority on vaccines like that! Now everyone's a doctor and they're all over each other about what's best for kids... 
Anyway, it seems to me the AAP is just trying to keep things simple and based on science. But at the same time I get why some docs are hesitant - all this back-and-forth between CDC and AAP can be super confusing for parents. I mean, shouldn't we just have one set of guidelines that everyone agrees on? 
It's like a game of vaccine Tetris - which one fits together with the others? 
It's great that the AAP's guidelines are being trusted more now 
Dr. Hoyen's quote hit home for me - science hasn't changed, just the guidelines have 
Time to keep it simple & focus on protecting our little ones from preventable diseases 
. now we got doctors on both sides of the fence, and it's all just causing more confusion for parents who are trying to make informed decisions for their kids 
. i'm all for evidence-based medicine, but sometimes you gotta trust your instincts too, you know? 
. I mean, who needs one-size-fits-all guidelines when you can have a bunch of different recommendations depending on where you live? It's way more realistic to expect that people are going to have different lifestyles and circumstances, so why should we just expect everyone to follow the same vaccine schedule?
.
.
. Doctors are like "meh, we trust science" 
. But hey, at least kids are getting some extra protection against RSV 
... right? 
so i was talking to my friend from med school who works at a hospital in nyc and she told me that the CDC guidelines were super confusing for them because they had to deal with parents who are all skeptical about vaccines 
and honestly i think we should just trust the science and not spread misinformation online 
