If you have not explored the Contemporary Pediatrics interactive journal, available at this link, I highly recommend that you click on the link and enjoy the experience. The interactive journal represents a forward-thinking way of presenting content that engages readers in each article. It is a captivating experience reading this journal as you turn each page flowing from one article to another. As you turn each page, tables, figures and photos flow onto the page of the article.

Many of us view tables and figures first, so this is a welcome and natural transition from reading a hard copy of an article to an online interactive read that immediately directs you to the tables and figures.

For example, as you open the article, “Addressing early-onset colorectal cancer in pediatric practice: Prevention starts now” colorful fruit flow onto the article, making it not only an attractive image, but also a visual image that embeds nutritional guidance into prevention strategies of colorectal cancers that has most likely not been a major consideration in pediatric clinical practices.¹ In the dermatology article, “Topical innovations for atopic dermatitis,” a photo of atopic dermatitis on a child’s arm emerges presenting an instant memorable image of the condition under discussion.²

Vaccine chaos

My focus today is on the article in the infectious diseases section of the journal, ACIP changes prompt concern as pediatricians prepare for fall vaccine season in which Tina Tan MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS, the Editor-in-Chief of Contemporary Pediatrics and Candice Jones MD, discuss in a video podcast the recent changes to ACIP and concerns about vaccines for all of our pediatric populations.³

Tan and Jones present a 20-minute discussion on the latest concerns about the recommendations from ACIP that no longer represent the best available evidence for vaccine recommendations. They discuss the problems that are now being encountered in clinical practices in which parents who have previously vaccinated their children are making misinformed decisions and choosing not to vaccinate their newborns or young children. I highly recommend reading the article, listening to the video, and to be a strong, vocal advocate for vaccines for all pediatric and adult populations.

The AAP and other organizations support the 2024 vaccine schedule

As many of us know, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has created a schedule for vaccines that is based on the 2024 trusted vaccine schedule. Many pediatric and physician organizations have supported the use of this schedule. The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners have also placed a notice on their website, www.napnap.org, stating that “NAPNAP Endorses the American Academy of Pediatrics Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule.”

Vaccine hesitancy

I have researched vaccine hesitancy and understand the concerns of parents and have successfully helped parents make evidence-based decisions about vaccinating their infants, children, and adolescents.⁴ However, the recent chaos created by firing of the experienced vaccine experts serving for many years as members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) followed by the appointment of individuals lacking vaccine expertise, is threatening the health and well-being of our pediatric and adult populations by creating fear for vaccinating the children and adults.

We cannot go back to having VPDs circulating throughout the United States

In the United States, we have experienced great strides in eliminating deadly diseases through the administration of vaccines. Many of our current providers have never seen a case of such deadly diseases such as acute epiglottis, meningitis caused by the Haemophilus influenza type b, tetanus, or diphtheria.

More recently many pediatric providers have encountered cases of pertussis, measles, and influenza which have resulted in severe illnesses and even childhood deaths. These are all vaccine preventable diseases (VPD). There are no scientific reasons to go backwards in time by dismantling vaccines schedules that save lives. Have individuals and groups of people who are making decisions to destroy the scientific support for vaccines ever comforted parents whose children are hospitalized suffering from a VPD, or comforted the families of an infant or child who has died from a VPD? It is all a pediatric health care provider's worst nightmare!

References:

1. Sloan C. Addressing early-onset colorectal cancer in pediatric patients. Contemporary Pediatrics. September 1, 2025. Accessed September 24, 2025. https://indd.adobe.com/view/549bba39-5871-478f-b9b0-5cbcf189d8d3

2. Soung, J. Topical innovations for atopic dermatitis. Contemporary Pediatrics. September 1, 2025. Accessed September 24, 2025. https://indd.adobe.com/view/549bba39-5871-478f-b9b0-5cbcf189d8d3

3. Ebert M. ACIP changes prompt concern as pediatricians prepare for fall vaccine season. Contemporary Pediatrics. September 1, 2025. Accessed September 24, 2025. https://indd.adobe.com/view/549bba39-5871-478f-b9b0-5cbcf189d8d3

Hallas D, Altman S, Mandel E, Fletcher J. Vaccine hesitancy in prenatal women and mothers of newborns: Results of an interventional study. Nurse Pract. 2023;48(3):36-47. doi:10.1097/01.NPR.0000000000000018 Accessed September 22, 2025