Pediatricians Recommend Vaccinations for 18 Diseases, Diverging From CDC

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children receive vaccines for 18 diseases, while the CDC's revised federal schedule now recommends universal vaccination against 11 diseases.

The American Academy of Pediatrics on Monday released a recommended childhood vaccine schedule that urges vaccination against 18 diseases. The AAP said it does not endorse the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's revised childhood schedule, which now recommends universal vaccination against 11 diseases. The AAP kept its guidance largely unchanged from last year and said its recommendations reflect what it considers the best interest of children. The group represents about 67,000 pediatricians. Key points: - The AAP recommends universal vaccination for 18 diseases, including hepatitis A and B, Covid-19, influenza, rotavirus and meningococcal disease. - The CDC's updated federal schedule recommends universal childhood vaccination against 11 diseases after a recent overhaul. - The AAP said it does not endorse the CDC schedule and kept its prior guidance in place. - The AAP's schedule is endorsed by 12 other medical and health organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. - The AAP represents about 67,000 pediatricians in the United States and described vaccines as a defense against preventable disease. - Some 27 states and Washington, D.C., have said they will not follow the CDC's childhood vaccine recommendations for at least some vaccines, according to KFF. Summary: The difference highlights a split between a major pediatricians' group and the federal agency over which vaccines should be universally recommended. The AAP's schedule retains recommendations for several vaccines that the CDC removed from its universal list and is supported by multiple professional organizations. Undetermined at this time.