American Academy of Pediatrics

Exciting news -- AAP just launched the first national neonatal verification and designation program to ensure high-quality care for newborns and their families. "By making this verification and designation process available to hospitals in every state, the American Academy of Pediatrics can support local communities to advance the level of newborn care they’re able to provide to families," said Dr. Eric Eichenwald, NVP Medical Director and member of the AAP Committee on the Fetus and Newborn. Learn more in AAP News: https://bit.ly/41t6fRJ

AAP President Dr. Susan Kressly recently spoke with the Associated Press about the impact public health decisions are having on families. She shared pediatricians are hearing from worried parents about the availability of next year’s flu vaccine and wanting the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine earlier. “The only way to stop an outbreak is increased coordinated positive messaging around vaccinating.” Read more at https://lnkd.in/eutnTSWh

In a recent Letter-to-the-Editor published in the Washington Post, Dr. Lanre Falusi from the AAP Committee on Federal Government Affairs expressed concerns over misinformation and stressed the effectiveness and importance of vaccines. She is one of several voices featured in the letter that included perspectives from other health experts and families. “Pediatricians are ready to partner with policymakers to ensure we all remain focused on the well-being of children and families. Parents need assurance that policy decisions will be informed by the settled science — not confusion and conspiracy theories." Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/e88Hu38N.

Misinformation continues to spread online about measles so we are debunking the myths and sharing important info about measles and the recent outbreaks. For example, the MMR vaccine doesn’t cause death and doesn’t give people measles. And families should not expose their children to measles to gain immunity without vaccination. The measles virus can cause serious health problems, like pneumonia and brain swelling, in children. Vaccination is the safest way to establish lifetime immunity. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles.

It’s been a busy week for AAP President Dr. Susan Kressly who was back on Capitol Hill earlier this week advocating for kids and Medicaid as she spoke before the Children’s Health Care Caucus about the importance of children’s health coverage.?

AAP and other leading physician groups are alarmed by the National Institute of Health (NIH) decision to terminate grants to study vaccine hesitancy and uptake. AAP joined American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) , and American College of Physicians in calling on the NIH to reconsider its decision and reaffirm its commitment to supporting this research.? Read the full statement in AAP News at https://lnkd.in/eUfZ9qhu

The measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico is expanding. Local health departments in those states now report 256 cases, largely amongst unvaccinated children. The CDC also issued a HAN Health Advisory regarding travel to the areas of the outbreak as spring and summer travel season approaches. Learn more about the latest info regarding the outbreak and learn more in AAP News: https://bit.ly/4il5aT4

In a statement, AAP President Dr. Susan Kressly said studying a discredited theory linking vaccines to autism does a disservice to individuals with autism and their families. CDC, under guidance of new HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., will reportedly reexamine the issue despite multiple large-scale studies finding no such link. Read more in AAP News: https://lnkd.in/eHCYTmDj

In a new op-ed on MSNBC.com, AAP President Susan Kressly warns about dangerous misinformation spreading online about using vitamin A, cod-liver oil, and good nutrition to help prevent the measles virus. Measles is the most contagious infectious disease in people and the only way to prevent it is with the measles vaccine, which is one of the most successful medical interventions in history and is estimated to have saved millions of lives. “Parents who are making decisions about their children’s health deserve honest answers about what we know, what we don’t know and what is false. Doctors who have treated children with measles know the limitations of current available treatments, and we know that a child would never choose to suffer from this disease.” Read the full op-ed: https://lnkd.in/euZ9dzeh

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases, but two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective in preventing children from contracting the virus. Pediatrician and chair of AAP’s Committee on Infectious Diseases Dr. Sean O’Leary joins pediatricians Dr. Joanna Parga-Belinkie and Dr. David Hill on the latest episode of the Pediatrics on Call podcast to discuss the ongoing measles outbreak and the 2025 vaccine schedule. Tune in wherever you get your podcasts or click here: https://lnkd.in/eupDwQys