The American Academy of Pediatrics revealed its pediatric vaccine suggestions for influenza, RSV, and COVID-19, which differ from some suggestions made by the FDA.
RT’s 4 Key Takeaways:
- RSV Vaccination: AAP recommends RSV immunization for newborns whose moms weren’t vaccinated throughout being pregnant, in addition to for high-risk kids as much as 19 months, utilizing monoclonal antibody merchandise that present speedy safety.
- Flu Vaccination: AAP recommends annual flu vaccines for all kids beginning at 6 months outdated, except they’ve a medical motive to not be immunized.
- COVID-19 Vaccination: AAP recommends a COVID-19 vaccine for all kids ages 6 by way of 23 months outdated to assist defend towards critical sickness.
- Breaking with CDC: The AAP stated its suggestions differ from these of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, “which was overhauled this yr and changed with people who’ve a historical past of spreading vaccine misinformation.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics has revealed an evidence-based immunization schedule that features up to date steering for influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 immunizations for youngsters and adolescents from delivery to age 18. The schedule, “Really useful Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule: United States, 2025,” was revealed Aug. 19, 2025 within the AAP Purple Guide On-line , the Academy’s scientific guidebook for infectious illnesses prevention and therapy.
Since its founding in 1930, the American Academy of Pediatrics has been a main voice in vaccine suggestions, creating evidence-based steering to assist pediatricians in caring for youngsters and households. The schedule revealed Tuesday continues on this custom. It differs from current suggestions of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the CDC, which was overhauled this yr and changed with people who’ve a historical past of spreading vaccine misinformation.
“The AAP will proceed to offer suggestions for immunizations which might be rooted in science and are in the perfect curiosity of the well being of infants, kids and adolescents,” stated AAP President Susan J. Kressly, MD, FAAP. “Pediatricians know the way necessary routine childhood immunizations are in conserving kids, households and their communities wholesome and thriving.”
The schedule represents formal suggestions from the AAP for routine immunizations for infants, kids and adolescents towards 18 illnesses. The schedule revealed Aug. 19 consists of up to date suggestions for RSV, influenza, and COVID-19 immunizations for pediatric populations.
Along with the up to date suggestions for the three respiratory viruses, the schedule incorporates current updates relating to pentavalent meningococcal vaccine, the beginning age of the Human Papilloma Virus vaccine, and elimination of a hepatitis vaccine that’s not obtainable.
“The AAP urges each insurer to cowl all of the vaccines which might be included on this immunization schedule,” Dr. Kressly stated. “AAP is dedicated to working with our companions on the native, state and federal ranges to ensure each youngster, in each neighborhood has entry to vaccines.”
RSV
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is the main explanation for hospitalization for infants earlier than their first birthday. It’s a virus that impacts the lungs and airways and spreads simply by way of the air and by bodily contact with the germs. Immunizations for pregnant moms and newborns present antibodies that provide mandatory safety.
“Infants who turn out to be contaminated with RSV can get a lot sicker than older youngsters as a result of their lungs and airways are so tiny,” stated Kristina Bryant, MD, FAAP, a member of the AAP Committee on Infectious Ailments. “There are two methods to assist your child get forward of this critical respiratory sickness. Mothers who get the RSV vaccine throughout their being pregnant can move necessary antibodies to their growing child by way of the placenta. Or new infants can get an RSV shot for RSV season. Properly-timed RSV immunizations assist infants keep wholesome.”
Nirsevimab and clesrovimab are the really useful immunizations to stop RSV. Each are monoclonal antibody merchandise, that are given to infants for immediate safety. One other monoclonal antibody, palivizumab, is a shorter-acting product that’s not really useful to be used.
The AAP recommends:
- Immunization for infants youthful than 8 months who’re born throughout or coming into their first RSV season if the pregnant father or mother didn’t obtain vaccine throughout being pregnant, if the vaccination standing is unknown, or if the toddler was born lower than 14 days after the pregnant father or mother obtained the vaccine.
- Immunization for infants and kids 8 by way of 19 months of age at excessive threat of extreme RSV illness and coming into their second RSV season. Excessive-risk infants embrace kids with continual lung illness, immunocompromise, or cystic fibrosis, in addition to different teams.
The Academy’s suggestions for RSV immunizations are revealed on-line right here and shall be revealed within the November concern of Pediatrics (on-line Aug. 19).
Influenza
AAP recommends annual flu vaccines for all kids beginning at 6 months outdated, except they’ve a medical motive to not be immunized. This helps defend not solely the kid but in addition the neighborhood—particularly throughout seasons when different viruses like RSV and COVID-19 are additionally circulating. The Academy’s flu vaccine suggestions and an accompanying technical report had been pre-published July 28 in Pediatrics and shall be revealed within the October 2025 print concern.
“The flu may be way more critical than only a chilly or run-of-the-mill viral an infection, particularly for youngsters below the age of 5 or these with circumstances like bronchial asthma or diabetes. Additionally it is one thing that children can catch — and unfold — simply. An annual influenza immunization helps your youngster’s immune system acknowledge and resist the virus to allow them to keep at school, go on playdates and do the issues youngsters love doing,” Dr. Bryant stated.
Influenza (or the flu) is a viral an infection of the nostril, throat and lungs. It spreads when an contaminated individual coughs or sneezes and one other individual breathes within the virus from the air, or when somebody touches a contaminated floor then places a finger of their mouth or nostril.
Youngsters who’re hospitalized, have critical or worsening flu signs, or have well being circumstances that put them at increased threat for issues ought to begin antiviral therapy for the flu as quickly as attainable, even when they’ve been sick for a number of days.
The 2024–2025 influenza season was a high-severity season for individuals of all ages, based on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. The CDC reported 267 influenza-related pediatric deaths by way of August 2, 2025. Of these, 43.6% occurred in kids with no high-risk medical situation.
Traditionally, as much as 80% of influenza-associated pediatric deaths have occurred in unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated kids. Youngsters youthful than 5 years, particularly these lower than 2 years, are particularly weak to extreme sickness and hospitalizations or dying on account of influenza.
COVID
COVID-19 continues to lead to hospitalization and dying within the pediatric inhabitants. Infants and kids 6 by way of 23 months of age are on the highest threat for extreme COVID-19. Given this, the AAP recommends a COVID-19 vaccine for all kids ages 6 by way of 23 months outdated to assist defend towards critical sickness. Youngsters youthful than 2 years outdated are particularly weak to extreme COVID-19 and ought to be prioritized for vaccination except they’ve a recognized allergy to the vaccine or its elements.
Along with the advice for all kids youthful than 2 years, the AAP recommends a single dose of age-appropriate COVID-19 vaccine for all kids and adolescents 2 by way of 18 years of age within the following threat teams :
- Individuals at excessive threat of extreme COVID-19
- Residents of long-term care amenities or different congregate settings
- Individuals who’ve by no means been vaccinated towards COVID-19
- Individuals whose family contacts are at excessive threat for extreme COVID-19
The AAP additionally recommends the vaccine be obtainable for youngsters ages 2-18 who don’t fall into these threat teams, however whose father or mother or guardian needs them to have the safety of the vaccine. Essentially the most up to date model of the COVID-19 vaccine that’s obtainable ought to be used. The Academy’s suggestions for COVID-19 vaccines are revealed on-line right here and shall be revealed within the November concern of Pediatrics (on-line Aug. 19).
“We extensively reviewed essentially the most lately obtainable knowledge about COVID-19 dangers in youngsters, in addition to security and effectiveness of obtainable COVID-19 vaccines. It’s clear they’re very protected for all populations. Among the many causes we determined to maneuver to a risk-based suggestion for wholesome older kids is the truth that the hospitalization charge for younger kids and kids with underlying medical circumstances stays excessive, according to charges for lots of the different vaccine-preventable illnesses for which we vaccinate,” stated Sean O’Leary, MD, FAAP, chair of the AAP Committee on Infectious Ailments.
AAP stated it is going to additionally publish parent-friendly immunization schedule on HealthyChildren.org.
