INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released its updated childhood vaccine schedule, prompting several major medical organizations to endorse separate recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The new guidelines cover a range of immu nizations including those for hepatitis, influenza and COVID-19. Medical experts noted that the federal guidelines and the American Academy of Pediatrics, or AAP, differ on the recommended dosage for the human papillomavirus vaccine and treatments for respiratory syncytial virus. The updates follow a formal review process intended to align vaccination timelines with the development of the immune systems of children. The primary discrepancy between the two schedules involves the human papillomavirus, or HPV, vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggested reducing the series to one dose based on a review of international medical practices. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics maintains a multi-dose schedule for children and teenagers. Dr. Janelle Gordon, a WISH-TV medical expert and family physician, explained the specific requirements for different age groups under the pediatric organization’s guidelines. “For children 9 to 14 years of age, they need to still have two doses,” Gordon said. “And for children 15 years of age and above, they need to have three doses.” The updated schedules also address respiratory syncytial virus, commonly known as RSV. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants born to mothers who were not vaccinated during pregnancy receive a monoclonal antibody treatment. There are also specific recommendations for infants categorized as high risk. “All infants born to mothers who were not vaccinated during their pregnancy for RSV should receive the monoclonal antibody,” Gordon said. Routine immunizations included in the updated coverage are hepatitis A and B for all children unless a medical reason prohibits vaccination. The schedules also cover influenza, COVID-19, meningococcus and rotavirus, which is an oral vaccine. Gordon noted that these timelines are designed to match the development of a child’s immune system. “If we differ from the previous release vaccine schedules then that could increase the risk for disease that we know are vaccine preventable,” Gordon said. More than 12 national organizations have announced their support for the pediatric academy’s vaccine schedule over the recently released federal guidelines. These groups include the American Medical Association, the National Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The American Academy of Family Physicians, which represents family doctors, also endorsed the schedule. ...read more read less