As the Medical Director of the AMEC International Health Commission, I write to you about the importance of vaccination — a cornerstone of public health that protects individuals, families, and our broader community.
Vaccines have a long track record of safely preventing serious, life-threatening diseases. They are grounded in extensive scientific research and rigorous safety monitoring and have saved countless lives worldwide. Choosing vaccination is not only a medically sound decision but also aligns with our faith’s call to love our neighbors and care especially for the most vulnerable among us. Over the past year, there have been changes and discussions in national vaccine policy that may be confusing.
Most notably:
● A recent shift in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) immunization schedule has reduced the number of vaccines that the CDC now broadly recommends for all children and adolescents, reclassifying several as those to be considered through “shared clinical decision-making” or for high-risk groups. This includes vaccines such as influenza, hepatitis A and B, rotavirus, RSV, and meningococcal disease in certain settings. These changes have prompted concern among many experts about potential increases in preventable disease.
● In contrast — and importantly — the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) continues to publish its own evidence-based immunization schedule for children and adolescents, reflecting decades of pediatric expertise and scientific consensus. The AAP’s 2025 schedule includes routine recommendations for vaccines throughout childhood and adolescence, following well-established age-specific timing for immunizations against diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis, and others.
● The AAP also strongly supports routine annual influenza vaccination for all children without contraindications, emphasizing that flu shots significantly reduce hospitalizations and community spread.
● Regarding COVID-19 vaccines, the AAP’s recent policy statements recommend that infants, young children, and adolescents who do not have medical contraindications receive vaccines according to updated guidelines to prevent severe outcomes from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Because of these differences between recent CDC changes and the AAP’s recommendations, we recommend that parents and guardians strongly consider the AAP guidelines for childhood and adolescent immunizations, and that you consult with your child’s pediatrician or healthcare provider for personalized care based on current evidence. From a medical perspective, vaccines remain one of the most effective ways to protect health across the lifespan. From a faith perspective, vaccinating ourselves and our children is an expression of compassion and responsible stewardship: we protect the weak, we protect ourselves/family, help prevent suffering, and contribute to the health of our community.
Some questions about vaccines are understandable, and I encourage respectful, evidence-grounded discussion with trusted physicians and other health professionals. Your medical team can help you understand the benefits of each recommended vaccine and how it fits with your family’s needs. The IHC meets the fourth Saturday of the month and we invite you join us as we will be discussing vaccine updates, Global Development travel tips and safety.
Thank you for your commitment to health, science, and the well-being of our entire Zion and community.
Have A Healthy Day, Ouida Collins, MD MPH Medical Director AMEC International Health Commission
