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Chicago Tribune
12 minutes ago
- Chicago Tribune
US pediatricians' new COVID-19 shot recommendations differ from CDC advice
NEW YORK — For the first time in 30 years, the American Academy of Pediatrics is substantially diverging from U.S. government vaccine recommendations. The group's new COVID-19 recommendations — released Tuesday — come amid a tumultuous year for public health, as vaccine skeptics have come into power in the new Trump administration and government guidance has become increasingly confusing. This isn't going to help, acknowledged Dr. James Campbell, vice chair of the AAP infectious diseases committee. 'It is going to be somewhat confusing. But our opinion is we need to make the right choices for children to protect them,' he added. The AAP is strongly recommending COVID-19 shots for children ages 6 months to 2 years. Shots also are advised for older children if parents want their kids vaccinated, the AAP said. That differs from guidance established under U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which doesn't recommend the shots for healthy children of any age but says kids may get the shots in consultation with physicians. Children ages 6 months to 2 years are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19, and it was important that recommendations continue to emphasize the need for them to get vaccinated, said Campbell, a University of Maryland infectious diseases expert. Vaccinations also are recommended for older children who have chronic lung diseases or other conditions that put them at higher risk for severe disease, the AAP said. In a statement, Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Andrew Nixon said 'the AAP is undermining national immunization policymaking with baseless political attacks.' He accused the group of putting commercial interests ahead of public health, noting that vaccine manufacturers have been donors to the AAP's Friends of Children Fund. The fund is currently paying for projects on a range of topics, including health equity and prevention of injuries and deaths from firearms. The 95-year-old Itasca, Illinois-based organization has issued vaccination recommendations for children since the 1930s. In 1995, it synced its advice with recommendations made by the federal government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There have been a few small differences between AAP and CDC recommendations since then. For example, the AAP has advised that children get HPV vaccinations starting at age 9; the CDC says that's OK but has emphasized vaccinations at ages 11 and 12. But in 30 years, this is the first time the recommendations have differed 'in a significant or substantial way,' Campbell said. Until recently, the CDC — following recommendations by infectious disease experts — has been urging annual COVID-19 boosters for all Americans ages 6 months and older. But in May, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. A few days later, the CDC issued language that healthy children may get the shots, but that there was no longer a 'should' recommendation. The idea that healthy older kids may be able to skip COVID-19 boosters has been brewing for some time among public health experts. As the COVID-19 pandemic has waned, experts have increasingly discussed the possibility of focusing vaccination efforts on people 65 and older — who are among those most as risk for death and hospitalization. A CDC expert panel in June was set to make recommendations about the fall shots. Among the options the panel was considering was whether suggest shots for high-risk groups but still giving lower-risk people the choice to get vaccinated. But Kennedy bypassed the group, and also decided to dismiss the 17-member panel and appoint his own, smaller panel, that included vaccine skeptics. Kennedy also later excluded the AAP, the American Medical Association and other top medical organizations from working with the advisers to establish vaccination recommendations. Kennedy's new vaccine panel has yet to vote on COVID-19 shot recommendations. The panel did endorse continuing to recommend fall flu vaccinations, but also made a decision that led to another notable difference with the AAP. The new advisory panel voted that people should only get flu vaccines that are packaged as single doses and do not contain the preservative thimerosal. The AAP said there is no evidence of harm from the preservative, and recommended doctors use any licensed flu vaccine product that's appropriate for the patient.
Business Wire
12 minutes ago
- Business Wire
Consumer Energy Alliance Welcomes New Board Members
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, today welcomed two new board members who bring deep insights into the direct effects of energy policies on two industries Americans interact with every day – airlines and convenience stores. Kelly Nodzak joins from Delta Air Lines, where she is the Director of Jet Fuel Procurement and Operations, overseeing the commercial and operational aspects of fuel procurement, supply, and operations for Delta's entire fleet. Prior to Delta, Nodzak managed business development for Colonial Pipeline Company. She holds an MBA and is a Certified Public Accountant. "Kelly understands how important energy infrastructure is in terms of delivering affordable, reliable energy and brings expertise from an industry that is highly sensitive to energy costs and essential to America's economy," CEA President David Holt said. "With Kelly's insights, CEA's breadth of representation from across the entire economy grows stronger, along with CEA's ability to serve as a trusted, neutral authority on energy policy." 'CEA's mission to deliver affordable, reliable and cleaner energy to every sector of America's economy is important and I am honored to be able to support it,' Nodzak said. 'Raising public awareness of how energy costs are woven into the fabric of daily life is a critical task, and it helps create the kind of positive energy policies that will lead to a stronger, more resilient and robust American economy.' Matt Durand joins from the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), where he is Deputy General Counsel and oversees legislative and regulatory affairs for energy and transportation issues. For more than 60 years, NACS has been recognized as the premiere association for convenience and fuel retailers. NACS has more than 1,000 retail member companies that cumulatively represent more than 200,000 stores in over 50 countries, including 90,000 stores in the United States. An attorney, Durand brings extensive experience in retail markets and public policy, having previously served as Vice President of Corporate Affairs for national convenience and restaurant retailer EG America, leading public policy and external relations across 30 states and 1,600 stores. He began his career as an aide in the Environmental Enforcement Section at the U.S. Department of Justice, supporting agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency and Nuclear Regulatory Commission. "Matt's knowledge from the convenience store industry is directly connected to how energy costs impact the price consumers pay at the gas pump or the cash register millions of times every single day across America," Holt said. "His experience leading public policy campaigns and advocacy will provide great insight to CEA's on-the-ground mission to support the affordable, reliable energy families and businesses need to thrive.' 'I'm honored to join CEA's board and help advocate for policies that deliver affordable, reliable energy,' Durand said. 'Americans can literally see their energy costs at the gas pump, but often don't see the other places where high energy prices increase the cost of everyday life. Helping grow Americans' understanding of why affordable, reliable energy matters and how they can have a voice in the debate is a mission I look forward to tackling with CEA.' About Consumer Energy Alliance Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is the trusted voice advocating for affordable, reliable, and cleaner energy solutions that benefit all Americans. Representing families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers, and manufacturers, CEA champions sensible, balanced policies that support economic growth and environmental resiliency; and ensures families and businesses are a vocal part of the nation's energy dialogue. Every day, we work to inspire practical, responsible solutions that meet America's energy needs while protecting the environment for generations to come.
Business Insider
14 minutes ago
- Business Insider
'Upside down economically': Here's why the housing market probably won't get more affordable if the Fed cuts rates
Don't expect the Fed to rescue the housing market. Markets have their eye on the Fed's likely interest rate cut in September, but Peter Boockvar, the CIO of One Point BFG Wealth Partners, has a two-part thesis as to why housing will stay expensive, even if the Fed trims its benchmark rate. It's a tough time for prospective buyers. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate, the most popular home loan in the US, is hovering around 6.5%. That's down slightly from highs above 7% this year, but still well-above levels seen in the period of 15 years that followed the financial crisis. Here's why afforability might not improve even if the Fed loosens monetary policy, in Boockvar's view: 1. Fed rate cuts won't pull down long-term rates When the Fed cuts rates, it most directly impacts short-term interest rates in the economy. That's unlikely to have a sizable influence over the longer-term rates, Boockvar said, speaking to CNBC on Tuesday. That's important to note because longer-term rates, like the 10-year Treasury yield, are the primary drivers of long-term borrowing costs for consumers. The 10-year bond yield is elevated compared to levels at the start of this year, and it could remain high as investors grow hesitant to pile into long-term government bonds amid mounting deficits and heavy government borrowing. "I think there's a global aversion to taking on long-duration. And long-term interest rates are higher across the world," Boockvar said. "So I think those looking to buy a home should not necessarily bet they're going to get rate relief with the cut in short-term interest rates." 2. Fed rate cuts won't fix the supply problem What's really holding back the market from becoming easier for buyers is supply. The housing market is in dire need of more homes to help bring prices down. Even if mortgage rates edge lower, hotter demand could send prices higher unless the market gets an increase in available supply, Boockvar said. "To really be big picture here, you really need baby boomers to downsize. That is where most of the existing home supply needs to come from," he said. But getting more Americans to move is a challenge. Many homeowners are staying put for two reasons: Mortgage rates are too high. More than 90% of US homeowners with a mortgage have financed at a rate below 6%, according to a 2023 Redfin analysis. Home prices are too high. The median existing home price rose to a record $435,300 in June, according to the National Association of Realtors. But, if home prices were to drop, that would hit homebuilder profits, Boockvar said, suggesting it could potentially limit new housing supply hitting the market. "It's sort of a catch-22 with this industry right now, that's sort of upside down economically," Boockvar added. Forecasters generally aren't very optimistic when it comes to the outlook for housing affordability. Redfin economists expect the median US home sale price to dip 1% by the end of the year, the real estate listings site said in May. Zillow, meanwhile, said in July it expected home values to post a 2% decline by the end of the year.
