The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently removed COVID-19 vaccines from its universal immunization schedule for children, but the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is pushing back with new guidance of its own.
On Tuesday, the AAP released its annual immunization schedule, which includes COVID-19 shots alongside flu and RSV vaccines. The group emphasized that infants and children ages 6 through 23 months remain at the highest risk for severe COVID-19, recommending vaccination for all children in that age range.
For children and teens ages 2 and older, the AAP recommends a single dose of an age-appropriate COVID-19 vaccine for those at higher risk, those who have never been vaccinated, or those living with vulnerable family members. The academy also supports vaccination for any child ages 2–18 if parents request it.
The CDC, by contrast, shifted to a “shared clinical decision-making” approach in May 2025, advising parents to consult healthcare providers about risks and benefits.
The AAP’s schedule, covering 18 vaccine-preventable diseases, also includes updates to meningococcal, HPV, and hepatitis vaccines.
