Changes to the US vaccine recommendations are sowing confusion and could harm kids
AP News••health
Key Points:
- Recent federal changes to vaccine guidance have removed universal recommendations for vaccines against six diseases, suggesting they be given only to at-risk children or through "shared clinical decision-making," a move that has caused confusion and concern among pediatricians.
- Doctors fear the new terminology and recommendations will increase vaccine hesitancy, complicate pediatric care, and potentially lead to higher rates of preventable illnesses and deaths, especially as childhood vaccination rates are already declining.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics and over 200 organizations have urged Congress to investigate the rationale behind the schedule changes, citing a lack of transparency and disregard for scientific evidence.
- Surveys indicate that many people do not understand the concept of shared clinical decision-making, which requires individualized discussion between healthcare providers and
