Vaccination and Immunization

Get caught up with Contemporary Pediatrics! This list helps you navigate our top stories from the week, all in one place.

Maternal influenza and TDaP vaccination during pregnancy was associated with fewer influenza- and pertussis-related hospital and ED visits in infants younger than 6 months.

ACIP recommends use of GSK’s pentavalent MenACWY-CRM/MenB-4C vaccine when MenACWY and MenB are indicated at the same visit.

Reactions from the pediatric health care community poured in following swift changes to the US childhood vaccine schedule by the CDC.

Effective immediately, the updated US childhood vaccine schedule will reduce the number of recommended vaccines for all children to 11 diseases, down from 18.

Those with regular access to care who did not receive, or were late on 2- and 4-month recommended vaccines, were more likely to not have any MMR vaccine by 2 years of age.

National EHR data show vitamin K nonreceipt among newborns nearly doubled from 2017 to 2024, raising concern for preventable bleeding risk.

“We started out 2025 with an environment that was rife with myths and disinformation," said Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., MD, in this year-end recap of 2025 and the pediatric vaccine landscape.

Donna Hallas, PhD, PPCNP-BC, CPNP, PMHS, FAANP, FAAN, shares her thoughts on the recently updated ACIP recommendation on the hepatitis B vaccine.

According to multiple reports, the FDA is investigating the safety of a pair of already-approved protective treatments for respiratory syncytial virus.

“We took a different approach by looking at colonizing bacteria, and we found vaccination reduced antimicrobial resistance through a completely different mechanism," said Brooke Ramay, lead author of the study.

A comprehensive Pediatrics review reports no credible evidence linking aluminum-adjuvanted vaccines with autism, neurotoxicity, allergy, or autoimmune disease.

State repeals of nonmedical vaccine exemptions were linked to higher kindergarten vaccination rates, with minimal substitution toward medical exemptions.

The ACIP committee voted to pass both resolutions to update its recommendation on the hepatitis B vaccine for infants.

"For those not receiving the HBV birth dose, it is suggested that the initial dose is administered no earlier than 2 months of age," reads part of vote 1.

The CDC website now claims "studies supporting a link [between vaccines and autism] have been ignored by health authorities."

In this brief clip, Lori Handy, MD, MSCE, of CHOP, explains the evolving dynamic of trust between patients, parents, and health care.

Lori Handy, MD, MSCE, discussed how clinicians can strengthen vaccine communication by engaging openly and partnering with trusted community messengers.

Lori Handy, MD, MSCE, addresses rising vaccine inquiries, emphasizing informed decisions that balance risks and benefits for children's health and safety.

Combination vaccines enhance childhood immunization by reducing the number of shots, improving adherence, and potentially increasing overall vaccination rates.

COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy reduced infection, stillbirth, and preterm birth risks without increased adverse maternal outcomes.

Plus: The new Contemporary Pediatrics interactive journal…have you experienced it?

Members of the Contemporary Pediatrics Editorial Advisory Board react to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' September 2025 meeting.

The Committee voted against a proposed recommendation that "state and local jurisdictions should require a prescription for the administration of a COVID-19 vaccination.

Capvaxive was superior to PPSV23 for each of the 9 serotypes unique to Capvaxive and non inferior to PPSV23 for the 12 shared serotypes.