Published on Sep 08, 2025 | 9:55 AM
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In May 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made a major change in its COVID-19 vaccine recommendations. For the first time since the vaccines became available, the CDC no longer recommends routine COVID-19 vaccination for healthy children and pregnant women. Instead, the agency shifted to what’s called shared clinical decision-making—meaning parents should talk with their child’s healthcare provider to decide what’s best.
Previously, the CDC’s guidance strongly recommended COVID-19 vaccination for children six months and older, regardless of health status. Now, the official stance is different: healthy children and pregnant women are not automatically advised to get the shot. Instead, vaccination is framed as a choice, depending on individual risk factors, medical history, and family preference. This change has raised concerns because CDC recommendations often shape insurance coverage, access through federal programs, and the overall message families receive about vaccine safety and importance.
For many parents, this update is confusing. You may be asking: Does this mean the vaccine isn’t safe? Does my child still need it? The CDC has not declared the vaccines unsafe. What’s changed is the level of urgency and universality behind the recommendation. Without a strong CDC recommendation, some insurance plans may stop covering the vaccine in full. Families who want it could face new out-of-pocket costs or limited access.
Not everyone agrees with the CDC’s change. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has broken from federal guidance for the first time in decades. The AAP still strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccination for children 6 to 23 months old, noting this group faces some of the highest hospitalization risks. For older children, the AAP advises vaccination for those with higher medical risk but emphasizes that parents should have informed conversations with their providers. This means parents may now see different guidance depending on where they turn for information—CDC on one side, the pediatric community on the other.
If you’re a parent, the most important step is to talk with your child’s healthcare provider. Together, you can weigh:
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. But making an informed decision with a trusted provider ensures your child’s needs come first.
Policy changes can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate them alone.
At CallOnDoc, we:
Healthcare guidance may shift, but our mission stays the same: making sure you have clear, compassionate support when you need it most.
Cut the cost, not the care.
Shelly House, FNP, is a Family Nurse Practitioner and Call-On-Doc’s trusted medical education voice. With extensive experience in telehealth and patient-centered care, Ms. House is dedicated to making complex health topics simple and accessible. Through evidence-based content, provider collaboration, and a passion for empowering patients, her mission is to break down barriers to healthcare by delivering clear, compassionate, and practical medical guidance.
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Many people can find it nearly impossible to tell them apart just by how they feel, especially in the early stages of illness. This overlap is particularly problematic during flu season, when cases of both flu and COVID-19 spike, increasing the chances of infection with one or even both viruses.
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When it comes to respiratory illnesses, COVID-19 and the flu (influenza) share a lot in common. Both are highly contagious, spread in similar ways, and often produce overlapping symptoms.
Many people can find it nearly impossible to tell them apart just by how they feel, especially in the early stages of illness. This overlap is particularly problematic during flu season, when cases of both flu and COVID-19 spike, increasing the chances of infection with one or even both viruses.
Both COVID-19 and the flu can begin with mild symptoms that may gradually or suddenly worsen. They share common symptoms like fever, cough, and fatigue, making it easy to confuse the two.
Knowing the common differences between COVID-19 and the flu can help guide your decisions about treatment, isolation, and when to seek medical care. However, it’s important to remember testing is the most reliable way to confirm your diagnosis. Factors like vaccination status, virus variants, and overall health can also influence how you experience symptoms for both illnesses.
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