The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued new COVID-19 vaccine recommendations that diverge from U.S. government guidance for the first time in 30 years. Released on Tuesday, the AAP strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations for children aged 6 months to 2 years. For older children, the AAP advises vaccinations but leaves the decision to parents.

This guidance contrasts with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which, under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., does not recommend COVID-19 shots for healthy children of any age. Instead, the CDC states that vaccinations may be considered in consultation with healthcare providers.

Dr. James Campbell, vice chair of the AAP infectious disease committee, acknowledged the potential for confusion. "It is going to be somewhat confusing. But our opinion is we need to make the right choices for children to protect them," he said. He emphasized that children aged 6 months to 2 years are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19, making vaccination crucial.

The AAP's recommendations also extend to children with chronic health conditions, who are at greater risk for severe disease. The organization has been providing vaccination guidance since the 1930s and aligned its recommendations with the CDC in 1995. However, Campbell noted that this is the first significant divergence in recommendations in three decades.

Previously, the CDC had been advocating for annual COVID-19 boosters for all individuals aged 6 months and older. However, in May, Kennedy announced that COVID-19 vaccines would no longer be recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. Shortly after, the CDC adjusted its language to indicate that while healthy children may receive the shots, there was no longer a strong recommendation to do so.

As the pandemic has subsided, public health experts have increasingly suggested focusing vaccination efforts on older adults, particularly those aged 65 and older, who are at higher risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19. A CDC expert panel was set to discuss fall vaccination recommendations, but Kennedy bypassed this group, appointing a new panel that included vaccine skeptics and excluded major medical organizations like the AAP.

The new panel has yet to vote on COVID-19 shot recommendations but has endorsed continued flu vaccinations. However, it has recommended that only single-dose flu vaccines without the preservative thimerosal be used. The AAP has stated that there is no evidence of harm from thimerosal and supports the use of any licensed flu vaccine appropriate for patients.