INDIANA – COVID-19 cases are on the rise in the United States, with transmission increasing in at least 45 states. In response to this trend, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released updated recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, which differ from the current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The AAP’s new recommendations, which were released on Tuesday, state that all children from 6 months through 23 months should receive a COVID-19 vaccine, unless they have allergies to the vaccine or its ingredients. For children ages 2 through 18 years, the AAP recommends a single dose if they are at high risk of severe illness, residents of long-term care facilities, are unvaccinated, or live with high-risk individuals. This guidance is a break from the CDC and the stance of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who announced in May that the CDC would no longer recommend COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children or pregnant women.
Symptoms of the new 2025 COVID-19 variant include:
- Low-grade fever or chills
- Mild sore throat or throat irritation
- Runny or blocked nose
- Dry, lingering cough
Despite the low percentage of emergency department visits for COVID-19 diagnoses in Indiana, the overall epidemic trend in the state is growing. Health officials advise those with symptoms to seek immediate treatment, isolate at home, and wear a mask when indoors with others.
