FACTS IN FOCUS:
Your Trusted Guide to Vaccine News, Resources, and Events
| | The Senate is considering the nomination of Dr. Erica Schwartz to lead the CDC, a key leadership appointment that could influence the agency's direction as it addresses declining childhood vaccination rates, ongoing measles outbreaks, and future immunization policy. | |
| AAP and Silverchair today announced the launch of “Red Book AI Assistant”, an AI-powered clinical support tool integrated into Red Book Online that helps healthcare professionals quickly find accurate, evidence-based answers to questions about pediatric infectious diseases. | |
| Members of Congress are asking the CDC to track and publicly report newborn vitamin K shot refusals because more parents are declining the injection, increasing the risk of severe bleeding and death in infants. Health experts say misinformation is contributing to the rise in refusals. | |
| | | A national AAP survey found that many pediatric residents finishing training in 2025 had little or no firsthand experience with vaccine-preventable illnesses like measles and chickenpox, despite a recent increase in these diseases. Residents who had treated patients with these illnesses reported greater confidence in diagnosing them, suggesting that direct clinical experience improves preparedness as cases become more common. | | | | | A study found that both AI chatbots and public health messaging increased parents’ willingness to vaccinate their children against HPV right away, but only information from trusted public health agencies had a lasting effect after 45 days. | | | | | A large US study found that annual flu vaccination reduced the risk of death from influenza by about 80% in children and teens, reinforcing the vaccine’s role in preventing severe illness even as childhood vaccination rates have declined. | | | |
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AAP July Vaccine Communications Workshop
July 22 at 1pm ET for AAP's Vaccine Communications workshop | Join Jake Engle and Kelsey Suter from Upswing Research & Strategy, Dr. Ross Newman and Jenn Nimke and Kathryn Beard from AAP's social media team in a discussion about successfully messaging the importance of vaccines on TikTok.
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Addressing Vaccination Anxiety in Children
This resource from Immunize.org provides strategies for healthcare professionals to address and navigate the anxiety children experience from needles and vaccine visits.
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Addressing Vaccination Anxiety for Infants and Toddlers
This resource from Immunize.org provides strategies for healthcare professionals to address and navigate the anxiety infants and toddlers experience from needles and vaccine visits.
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Protect Your Child from the Flu
As we prepare for the fall season, find out why and where your family can go to get the flu shot in this short video from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
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AAP research, policies and more added to OpenEvidence AI platform for physicians
“Answers to medical questions asked by desktop or app users will be informed by AAP publications including Pediatrics; Hospital Pediatrics; Pediatrics in Review; NeoReviews; Red Book: 2024-2027 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases, 33rd edition; Pediatric Dermatology, 5th edition; and Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children and Adolescents, 4th edition.”
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The Pediatric Pulse: Utilization of Immunization Counseling Codes without Administration (90482-90484)
Amid a dramatic rise in vaccine hesitancy and fear, immunization counseling remains a critical component of pediatric care, even when vaccines are not administered. This survey aims to better understand awareness and use of counseling-only billing codes (90482–90484), as well as barriers and opportunities to support practices. Your feedback will help guide NJAAP education, resources, and advocacy efforts with plans. Thank you!
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HPV Vaccine Research Summary
Developed by the NJAAP Adolescent Health Committee, this evidence summary highlights recent research demonstrating the effectiveness of HPV vaccination in preventing cervical precancers, cervical cancer, and other HPV-related cancers. The resource also underscores the importance of vaccinating at the recommended ages and the population-level impact of increasing HPV vaccination coverage.
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Measles: Essential Facts Every Parent Should Know
Measles is a highly contagious disease that can cause serious health complications, especially in young children. Vaccination with the MMR vaccine is the best protection, helping prevent infection, outbreaks, and the spread of measles within communities.
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Why Experts Agree Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism
A decades-old study that suggested a link between vaccines and autism was later retracted, and extensive research since then has found no connection. Multiple large studies have confirmed that vaccines, including the MMR vaccine, are safe and do not cause autism, reinforcing the importance of vaccination in protecting children’s health.
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New Jersey School Vaccine Requirements for Child Care & Preschool
New Jersey requires children attending child care centers and preschools to receive certain vaccines to help prevent the spread of serious diseases. While minimum immunization requirements vary by age, families are encouraged to follow the recommended childhood vaccination schedule for the best protection.
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New Jersey School Immunization Requirements (K-12)
New Jersey requires students to meet minimum immunization requirements before attending school to help prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases. Required vaccines vary by grade level, and families are encouraged to follow the recommended childhood immunization schedule for the best protection. Speak with your child’s healthcare provider if your child is behind on vaccinations or has questions about school requirements.
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New Jersey Early Relational Health Summit
Sept. 23, 2026 - 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Join us for the Early Relational Health (ERH) Summit and learn from local and national experts about how to promote strong caregiver-child relationships that support healthy development, well-being, and resilience.
Connect with pediatric healthcare professionals, early childhood providers, family and community partners, policymakers, and advocates for a day of collaboration, innovation, and actionable strategies to
strengthen outcomes for children and families.
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35th Annual School Health Conference
Oct. 21, 2026 - 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
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The School Health Conference is dedicated to keeping you abreast of the latest best practices in pediatrics.
Whether you are looking to obtain continuing (CNE/CME) credits or dedicated to lifelong learning,
this conference provides a large selection of educational opportunities. In addition to the education offered in our program, the NJAAP also showcases the latest pediatric resources and innovations in School Health.
| | | Contact NJAAP to tap our expertise and assistance in supporting your efforts to protect all children in New Jersey. | | |
The mission of the New Jersey Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (NJAAP) is the attainment of optimal health, safety and well-being of New Jersey’s infants, children, adolescents, young adults and promotion of pediatricians, primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical sub specialists and pediatric surgical specialists as the best qualified of all health professionals to provide child healthcare.
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