Health experts in the Fargo-Moorhead area have indicated that they will continue to uphold their current vaccination guidelines, despite recent changes announced by the U.S. government. On January 5, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revised its recommendations, reducing the list of vaccinations routinely suggested for children. Notably, vaccines for viruses such as RSV, rotavirus, seasonal influenza, COVID-19, meningitis, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B are now recommended only for children deemed to be at high risk or after consulting a healthcare provider.
Dr. Stephanie Hanson, a pediatrician at Sanford Health, emphasized that she and her colleagues will continue to adhere to the vaccination schedule set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which remains unchanged. “We’re not beholden to follow the new schedule. Families will still be able to access all of the vaccines in the same way that they had before,” she stated. Dr. Hanson added that insurance providers would continue to cover these vaccinations as they have in the past.
The childhood vaccination schedule prior to this week’s revision has been widely regarded as effective in preventing infectious diseases among children. Dr. Hanson explained, “It really is designed to prevent infectious disease for kids at the time that they are vulnerable and at the time that their immune system is primed to respond well to vaccines.”
Clay County Public Health in Moorhead has also committed to following the AAP vaccination schedule. Family Health Supervisor Elizabeth Bjur noted that the agency aligns with the Minnesota Department of Health, which officially endorsed the AAP guidelines. “We’ve relied on consistent messaging for families, and also based on science, as far as what the current recommendations would be,” Bjur remarked. Clay County Public Health provides vaccinations at reduced costs for patients who are underinsured or uninsured.
Concerns have emerged from some public health experts regarding the implications of the CDC’s decision. Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, raised alarms that the rollback of vaccination recommendations could endanger children’s lives. He emphasized that there should have been public discourse on the risks and benefits of the changes, as reported by Reuters.
Dr. Hanson highlighted the risks associated with common infections like RSV and rotavirus, which can lead to severe illness in younger children. “Not every child that gets these infections ends up with those more severe complications but, as a parent, I certainly would like to prevent that, if I could,” she said.
The federal change in vaccination guidelines follows a directive from President Trump, who instructed Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill to reassess the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule in light of superior practices observed in other developed nations. The Department of Health and Human Services reviewed vaccination protocols in 20 countries, including Denmark, which is often cited for recommending fewer childhood vaccinations than the U.S.
Dr. Hanson pointed out the significant differences in healthcare systems, noting that Denmark has universal healthcare and a robust safety net for its children. Universal screening for hepatitis B among mothers ensures that newborns are not exposed to the virus, and a comprehensive parental leave policy allows new parents to care for their infants without immediate daycare exposure to potential infections.
Looking ahead, the anticipated outcome of the revised vaccination recommendations may foster more discussions between parents and healthcare providers regarding immunization. “Which we always welcome,” Dr. Hanson concluded, highlighting the importance of communication in maintaining public health.
