Overview

• The American Academy of Pediatrics now advises all children 6–23 months receive a COVID-19 vaccine, with a single age-appropriate dose for certain high-risk children ages 2–18 and optional access for others whose parents request it.
• Federal policy currently treats pediatric COVID vaccination as a decision for families and clinicians after HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ended routine recommendations for healthy children in May.
• The AAP cites CDC data showing children under 2 face the highest pediatric COVID hospitalization rates, with rates in 6–23-month-olds comparable to adults ages 50–64.
• The split creates uncertainty over insurance coverage and the Vaccines for Children program, which typically follow ACIP/CDC guidance, as medical groups sue HHS and challenge the reconstituted ACIP process.
• Access may tighten this fall, as the FDA has indicated it could restrict upcoming COVID shots to older or high-risk groups and may not renew Pfizer’s authorization for children under 5.