Brady Collins
Vaccines are often associated with childhood, as children are recommended to receive vaccinations early in life to provide protection before they come into contact with life-threatening diseases. In the United States, children between birth and 6 years of age receive up to 36 vaccine doses to protect against 14 different diseases. However, childhood vaccination rates have been declining globally, with increasing exemptions in the US and falling rates in Australia and other regions. This trend has been attributed to various factors, including online misinformation, adverse events associated with COVID-19 vaccines, and concerns about a possible link between vaccines and autism. Despite these concerns, vaccines are considered one of the most important advances in modern public health, and the US has the safest vaccine supply in its history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vaccines for children | Recommended by the CDC |
| Safe | |
| Prevent serious illnesses | |
| Reduce child mortality | |
| Cost-effective | |
| Reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses | |
| Reduce healthcare provider costs | |
| Prevent loss of wages for patients and caregivers | |
| Do not cause autism | |
| Do not overload the immune system |
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What You'll Learn
- Vaccines are essential for children's health
- The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted standard pediatric care
- The FDA may revoke Pfizer's vaccine for children under 5
- The CDC has removed its recommendation of COVID vaccines for healthy children
- Vaccination rates are falling, especially for measles, mumps and rubella
Vaccines are essential for children's health
Vaccines are rigorously tested and monitored to ensure their safety for children. Before being approved for public use, vaccines undergo extensive safety testing, including clinical trials, and are continuously monitored by organisations such as the CDC and FDA. Mild side effects, such as soreness or fever, are common and typically resolve within a few days. Serious side effects are extremely rare, and the benefits of disease prevention far outweigh the potential risks.
Vaccines help protect against a range of serious illnesses, including polio, measles, and tetanus. For example, the measles vaccine has prevented millions of deaths worldwide, and the polio vaccine protects against paralysis. By vaccinating children, we can also achieve herd immunity, providing protection even for those who cannot be vaccinated, such as infants.
In addition to health benefits, vaccines have been linked to positive effects on cognition, schooling, and economic productivity. Studies have shown that vaccinated children in India and the Philippines had better growth, cognition, and schooling outcomes. Vaccines also contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty and low income by reducing the infectious disease burden in early childhood.
Overall, vaccines are crucial for children's health, providing protection against serious illnesses and contributing to their overall well-being and development. Vaccinating children is a safe and effective way to prevent diseases and save lives.
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The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted standard pediatric care
Vaccines are often associated with childhood, as they are a standard part of pediatric care. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted standard pediatric care worldwide, leading to unintended consequences.
Shelter-in-place mandates and quarantine measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic have had unintended consequences on pediatric healthcare. While these measures effectively limited the spread of the virus, they also contributed to delayed diagnoses and treatment for children with other medical conditions. This has resulted in increased morbidity and mortality among pediatric patients.
One of the most concerning consequences of the pandemic on pediatric care has been the delayed diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, leading to severe diabetic ketoacidosis. The focus on COVID-19 screening and the fear of exposure to the virus have caused families to delay seeking medical attention for non-COVID-related symptoms. In some cases, children with diabetes have presented to emergency departments with severe complications due to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
The pandemic has also impacted the mental health and well-being of adolescents with type 1 diabetes and their caregivers. Additionally, it has disrupted access to modern methods of contraception and aggravated issues related to nutritional knowledge and diabetes management.
Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted existing challenges in pediatric emergency care, particularly in community hospital emergency departments. Most children who require emergency care are treated by physicians with limited training in pediatrics, which can lead to undertreatment or failure to stabilize seriously ill children. This disconnect between the expertise required for pediatric emergency care and the training of general emergency care providers emphasizes the need for specialized pediatric emergency services.
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The FDA may revoke Pfizer's vaccine for children under 5
Vaccines are a crucial aspect of public health, especially for children, as they help protect against serious illnesses and build immunity early in life. However, the association between vaccines and childhood is now facing a potential challenge. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering revoking its authorization of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for children under the age of five. This decision could leave a significant gap in vaccine availability for young children, as the Pfizer vaccine is currently the only option for healthy individuals in this age group.
The FDA's potential revocation of the Pfizer vaccine for children under five stems from a series of policy changes by US health agencies since Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic, assumed his role. Kennedy has been vocal about prioritizing the restoration of public trust in health agencies, even if it means altering immunization policies. In May 2021, he filed a petition to revoke authorization for the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. Additionally, in June 2025, Kennedy announced that the CDC had removed its recommendation of COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women.
Pfizer, the drugmaker, confirmed that the FDA had informed them of the potential revocation, stating that the agency may not renew its longstanding emergency use authorization for children aged six months to four years. This decision could impact the availability of COVID-19 vaccines for young children, as Moderna's vaccine is only approved for children with specific health conditions, and Novavax's vaccine is not available for those under 12. The CDC is in discussions with Moderna to address potential supply gaps and ensure sufficient volume and timing of vaccine supply for young children.
While COVID-19 typically causes mild symptoms in most children, infants under one and those with certain health conditions are at higher risk of severe illness and hospitalization. Vaccines for children are crucial in protecting them from serious diseases and building their natural defenses. The CDC recommends that all children receive vaccines according to the immunization schedule to maximize their protection. Vaccines are rigorously tested and safe, and side effects are usually mild and short-lived. The benefits of disease prevention far outweigh the potential side effects for children.
The FDA's potential decision to revoke Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine authorization for children under five highlights the dynamic nature of immunization policies and the ongoing efforts to balance public health needs with public trust in health agencies. As discussions between health authorities and vaccine manufacturers unfold, the impact of this potential revocation on the availability of vaccines for young children remains a key concern.
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The CDC has removed its recommendation of COVID vaccines for healthy children
Vaccines are often associated with childhood, as they are a common and recommended way to protect children from serious illnesses and diseases. The CDC recommends that all children receive vaccines according to a specific immunization schedule to maximize protection. This schedule is designed to protect infants and children early in life, before they are exposed to life-threatening diseases.
However, in May 2025, there was a shift in this recommendation. The CDC's vaccine schedule for healthy children under 18 and pregnant women was updated, and COVID-19 vaccines were no longer listed as "recommended." This change was announced by US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who stated that COVID vaccines would be removed from the list of suggested shots for these groups.
Despite this announcement, it is important to note that COVID-19 vaccines have not been entirely removed from the CDC's childhood vaccine schedule. Instead, they are now listed as "recommended vaccination based on shared clinical decision-making." This means that healthy children without underlying conditions that increase their risk of severe illness can still receive the COVID-19 vaccine, but only after consulting with a healthcare provider.
The change in recommendation has sparked mixed reactions. Some vaccine experts support the idea of "shared clinical decision-making," as it preserves parental choice and encourages informed consent. On the other hand, critics argue that this approach may lead to confusion, with some parents having to pay out of pocket or facing challenges in finding doctors who support vaccination.
While the CDC's updated guidance has shifted the COVID-19 vaccine from a "recommended" to a "consultation-based" decision for healthy children, it is important to remember that vaccines for other diseases remain vital for children's health and well-being. The benefits of vaccination in preventing serious illnesses and strengthening the immune system are well-established, and the CDC continues to recommend immunization for children to protect them from various other diseases.
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Vaccination rates are falling, especially for measles, mumps and rubella
Vaccines are typically associated with childhood, as they are primarily administered during this period to protect against serious, often deadly diseases. They stimulate the body's natural defences, preparing it to fight diseases faster and more effectively. While vaccines are generally safe, with rigorous safety testing, some rare cases of adverse events have been reported, such as the now-discontinued rotavirus vaccine, which was linked to intestinal blockage.
Vaccination rates are critical to maintaining community immunity, also known as herd immunity. However, vaccination rates are falling, especially for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). This decline has already resulted in outbreaks of these diseases, even in countries where they were previously eliminated. Measles, for example, was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000 due to high vaccination rates. Yet, in recent years, MMR coverage has dropped below the 95% target, and measles cases have resurfaced.
The consequences of declining vaccination rates can be severe. A recent study predicted that a 10% decline in MMR vaccine coverage could lead to over 11 million measles infections over 25 years. Additionally, a 50% decline in routine childhood vaccinations could result in 51 million measles cases, 9.9 million rubella cases, and 4.3 million polio cases. These projections also include severe outcomes, such as hospitalizations, deaths, paralysis, and neurological consequences.
The decline in vaccination rates is attributed to various factors, including political changes undermining vaccine policy and public trust. The resurgence of once-eliminated diseases, such as measles, emphasizes the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage levels to protect vulnerable individuals, including infants, the immunocompromised, and the elderly.
To address falling vaccination rates, evidence-based guidance and robust, science-driven immunization policies are crucial. By ensuring that accurate information is readily available and addressing any concerns about vaccine safety, public health officials can work towards increasing vaccination rates and preventing the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases.
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Frequently asked questions
Vaccines are considered to be one of the most important advances in modern public health. The United States, for example, currently has the safest vaccine supply in its history. Millions of children safely receive vaccines each year. The most common side effects are very mild, such as pain or swelling at the injection site.
The main risks associated with getting vaccines are side effects, which are almost always mild and go away within a few days. Serious side effects, such as a severe allergic reaction, are very rare, and doctors and clinic staff are trained to deal with them. The medical community acknowledges that vaccination is not without health risks, but these "adverse events" are extremely rare and justified compared to the overall benefit of vaccination.
Declining vaccination rates have been observed in many regions of the U.S., Australia, and around the world. Some factors contributing to this decline include people's worldviews, perceptions and understanding of risk, and the cognitive biases they use to interpret that risk. Online misinformation and the political divide that emerged around COVID-19 vaccines have also led more parents to question routine childhood vaccinations.
