Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced it will continue following existing California Department of Public Health vaccination guidelines for children, with no modifications to immunization schedules or vaccine availability.
The statement follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's announcement of changes to childhood vaccine recommendations.
Public Health officials said no new scientific evidence indicates the existing childhood vaccination schedule is ineffective or unsafe. Current CDPH guidelines are based on decades of research, ongoing safety monitoring and scientific review designed to protect children from serious and preventable diseases.
"This is another example of federal health officials sowing confusion and doubt about trusted measures that have protected children from disease for decades," officials stated.
The department said federal officials' comparisons to vaccination schedules in smaller countries are misleading. International immunization schedules differ because countries face distinct disease burdens, healthcare infrastructure challenges and population health needs, not because the U.S. schedule is excessive or unnecessary.
Officials said the federal decision to change the vaccine schedule without transparency or input from vaccine-preventable disease experts will lead to confusion and increased administrative burdens on parents and pediatric providers. They warned the ongoing revisions to established health policies may affect children's health and increase the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will continue monitoring guidance from CDPH and remains committed to evidence-based practices prioritizing the health and safety of children and families. Individuals with questions about vaccine recommendations should contact their healthcare provider.
For more information on vaccine recommendations and vaccines, visit ph.lacounty.gov/vaccines.
Edited by SMDP Staff