WOODFORD COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — For the first time in three decades, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued different guidelines regarding children's COVID-19 vaccinations, creating confusion for parents as vaccination rates decline across Kentucky.

The divergence comes as public health experts report concerning drops in childhood vaccination rates statewide, with kindergartners entering elementary school showing the lowest vaccination levels Kentucky has seen in years.

New guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics, published Tuesday, strongly recommends COVID-19 shots for children ages 6 months to 2 years old. For older children, the shots are also advised but left to parent discretion.

The recommendation marks a departu

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