- Conflicting federal childhood vaccine guidance has left parents with questions, but experts at Valley Children’s say families should continue following recommendations from their trusted pediatricians and established medical organizations.
- Pediatricians emphasize that routine childhood vaccinations remain a safe and effective way to protect children from serious illnesses, despite debates surrounding vaccine recommendations.
MADERA, Calif. – Pediatric experts are urging parents to seek medical guidance from public health experts following a White House executive order that would significantly change federal childhood vaccine recommendations.
The order, signed Monday by President Donald Trump, calls for reducing the number of diseases covered by routinely recommended childhood vaccines from 18 to 11. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), however, continues to support its current immunization schedule, setting up conflicting messages that pediatricians say could confuse families.
Dr. Anne VanGarsse, medical director of primary care pediatrics at Valley Children’s, said parents who are confused by the conflicting messages should look to medical experts for guidance.
“I would tell my patients to rely on the guidance from pediatricians and public health experts in the healthcare of children,” said Dr. VanGarsse, a board-certified pediatrician with nearly 30 years of experience caring for kids. “The AAP vaccine schedule is based on decades of scientific research and public health experience relating to children.”
As parents seek answers amid evolving national discussions about vaccines, Dr. VanGarsse encouraged families to have conversations with their child’s doctor and to rely on trusted medical sources.
“When families receive conflicting messages, some delay vaccination while they wait for clarity. But diseases do not wait,” she said. “I would advise parents to talk to your child’s pediatrician about your concerns.”
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Part of Monday’s executive order states that hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rotavirus, meningococcal disease, influenza and COVID-19 immunizations would no longer be recommended for all children and instead be subject to “shared clinical decision-making.”
Dr. VanGarsse emphasized that the vaccines included in the routine childhood immunization schedule – including those that would no longer be recommended for all children – have been shown to provide protection from serious diseases.
“The vaccines in the recommended schedule aren’t there to prevent inconvenient illnesses,” she said. “They prevent illnesses that can – and have – caused serious harm and death to children.”
The executive order also calls to break the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine into three separate shots.
Public health experts have stated that splitting up vaccine appointments could lead to difficulty scheduling appointments, missed visits and place children at unnecessary risk.
“Delaying them demonstrates no benefit, only prolonged susceptibility to the infections,” Dr. VanGarsse said. “Splitting them up just requires more injections to get the same level of protection.”
“Today’s executive order on vaccines is not only disheartening but dangerous,” Dr. Andrew Racine, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics said in a statement. “Instead of ensuring every family can access life-saving vaccines for measles, influenza, RSV and more, federal leaders are once again spreading misleading claims.
“Delaying or skipping shots is risky, especially as measles continues to spread and children go back to school,” Dr. Racine added.
As families weigh the information available to them, Dr. VanGarsse said the most reliable guidance comes from those who have devoted their careers to children’s health.
“I’d recommend listening to those who dedicate their lives to the health of children,” she said.
To view the AAP’s recommended vaccine schedule, click here.
