Joint Statement from the West Virginia Chapters of the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicianson Childhood Immunization Recommendations

Following the news about updates from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) related to the childhood immunization schedule, we want to share what this means for West Virginia’s families – and what has not changed.

As two leading organizations of West Virginia medical professionals who provide care for children throughout our communities, we want to reiterate our commitment to children’s health, safety, and well-being.

For decades, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) have published childhood immunization schedules based on the best available medical evidence and input from leading experts from across the U.S., including West Virginia. Each year and as new evidence emerges, health experts, immunologists, and physicians carefully review new data and information as part of the immunization recommendation process. Recommended immunizations help keep newborns, infants, and children in the United States protected from diseases they could be exposed to as they develop and grow.

HHS recently released a revised federal framework, which reclassified some of the vaccines in the CDC Childhood Immunization Schedule. Given that the changes were not based on new medical evidence, the American Academy of Pediatrics’ and American Academy of Family Physicians’ childhood immunization schedules have not changed. All vaccines included in the AAP and AAFP childhood immunization schedules remain available, and insurance coverage continues through private plans, Medicaid, CHIP, and the Vaccines for Children program at this time.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians agree that the best way to protect children’s health, safety, and wellbeing is to continue recommending immunizations based on the AAP and AAFP childhood immunization schedules.

If you have questions about immunizations, we encourage you to reach out to your healthcare provider. More information can also be found at https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/immunizations/Pages/Recommended-Immunization-Schedules.aspx and https://familydoctor.org/immunization-schedules/.

As West Virginia medical professionals, we remain committed to caring for children across the state, using robust medical evidence. We thank our West Virginia families and communities for letting us be a partner in their children’s health and wellbeing.