**CDC Contradicts HHS on COVID-19 Vaccination for Children**

In a turn of events that has added to the ongoing public health discourse, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued updated immunization guidelines late Thursday that support COVID-19 vaccinations for healthy children if approved by their doctors. This update challenges an earlier statement made by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who asserted that healthy children did not need to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.

The revised CDC guidelines advocate for "shared clinical decision-making" regarding children's COVID-19 vaccinations. This approach implies that the decision to vaccinate should be based on discussions between parents and healthcare providers. This is a stark contrast to Kennedy's remarks, which did not mention consulting medical professionals and cited a lack of clinical data for repeat booster shots in children.

Moreover, the CDC's recent updates have also stated that coronavirus vaccines are not recommended during pregnancy, which diverges from the previous guidance and could potentially lead to confusion. The announcement by Kennedy caught the CDC off guard, as they were notified of the need to update their recommendations only hours after Kennedy’s public statement.

Health experts are concerned that the CDC’s recommendation for shared decision-making might sow confusion rather than provide clarity. Sean O'Leary, who chairs the American Academy of Pediatrics' committee on infectious diseases, emphasized that mixed messaging complicates quick consultations between doctors and patients, leading to potential inconsistencies in vaccination practices across the country.

Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have voiced criticism of Kennedy’s statements, arguing that they may erode public trust in the vaccination process and downplay the risks of COVID-19. This sentiment is echoed by Richard Hughes IV, who teaches vaccine law at George Washington University Law School, stating that the implementation of these new recommendations appears hastily conducted without thorough consideration of its consequences.

As federal health officials continue to provide mixed messages, particularly regarding coronavirus vaccinations during pregnancy, public confusion seems inevitable. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary recently commented that vaccination decisions should be individualized between doctors and pregnant women. In contrast, the CDC’s new guidance suggests delaying COVID-19 vaccination until after pregnancy, posing potential issues with insurance coverage during pregnancy.

In summary, the latest CDC immunization guidelines conflict with earlier statements from the HHS, leading to a complex landscape for parents and healthcare providers navigating the COVID-19 vaccination process for children and pregnant women.