Vaccine Updates: Doctor Advice on New Recommendations

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HARRISBURG, Pa. –

pennsylvania will continue to reccommend a standard set of childhood vaccinations, even as federal health officials have shifted several from “recommended for all” to targeted groups or discussions with pediatricians. The move follows a decision this week to alter guidelines for vaccines against diseases like RSV and influenza, prompting Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro to accuse U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of attempting to “sow chaos and confusion among parents.”

“pennsylvanians should continue to consult with their doctors and make informed decisions based on the best scientific evidence – and my Management will continue to rely on evidence-based guidance, like vaccine recommendations from the @AmerAcadPeds,” Shapiro said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

What’s changing at the federal level? Federal health officials are now suggesting some vaccines be reserved for children at higher risk or steadfast appropriate after a conversation with a pediatrician.

Federal Updates – The CDC recently adjusted vaccine recommendations, moving some from global to risk-based or discussion-focused. Changes affect flu, hepatitis A/B, meningococcal, rotavirus, RSV, and COVID-19 (2025).

The vaccines affected by the federal changes include those for flu, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal disease, rotavirus, RSV, and COVID-19, with the COVID-19 update slated for 2025.

While Pennsylvania’s school vaccination requirements remain unchanged, some pediatricians are concerned the federal shift could create uncertainty for families.

“Pediatricians aren’t politicians,so,in general,we are looking out for the child that’s in front of us. So having a good relationship with your child’s pediatrician to talk about the benefits and the potential risks of any vaccine is critically important,” said Dr. Ian Paul, a pediatrician and university professor in penn State’s college of Medicine.

Recommended Vaccinations Remain Crucial

Vaccine Benefits – Vaccines train a child’s immune system to fight infection without the risks of the disease itself. Annual vaccinations are recommended for mutating viruses like COVID-19 and influenza.

vaccines for diseases like COVID-19 and influenza are recommended annually due to the viruses’ tendency to mutate each year.Dr. Joan Thode, a pediatrician with Lancaster General Health’s Roseville Pediatrics CityGate, emphasized that the diseases themselves haven’t become less dangerous.

“These diseases have not become less dangerous. They have not become less present. There is no new data, nationally or locally, to indicate that these diseases are less prevalent, less present, and therefore, if the risk is not lower, we should not lower our prevention of that risk,” she said.

Pennsylvania’s School Vaccination Requirements

School Immunizations – Pennsylvania requires four DTaP, four polio, two MMR, three hepatitis B, two varicella, one Tdap (7th grade), and two MCV4 (7th & 12th grade) doses for school entry.

Pennsylvania currently requires the following vaccinations for school children,with some exceptions:

• four doses of DTaP (one dose on or after the 4th birthday)
• Four doses of polio (fourth dose on or after 4th birthday)
• Two doses of measles,mumps,rubella (MMR)
• Three doses of hepatitis B
• two doses of varicella (chickenpox) or evidence of immunity
• Seventh grade – in addition to those above,one dose of Tdap and one dose of MCV4
• 12th grade – in addition to those above,a second dose of MCV4

A fourth dose of polio is not necessary if the third dose was administered at age 4 or older,and at least 6