American Academy of Pediatrics

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Dedicated to the health of all children. The AAP page is not able to respond to parental requests regarding individual medical conditions.

Commenting Rules: To ensure that this page continues to be a place to find accurate messages and information about child health, the AAP asks that commenters observe rules of social media etiquette. The AAP reserves the right to review and remove any submitted content for any reason, at any time, at our sole discretion and without notice. Here are some examples of types of comments that will be removed:

Comments that are off topic or intended to send the conversation in a nonproductive direction
Comments that attack individuals or organizations
Comments that contain offensive language
Multiple postings of the same comment on various threads
Comments that contain personal information about others, including information about patients
Any form of "trolling" or "flaming"
Posting with such frequency or repetitiveness as to discourage others from posting

Comments also will be removed if they put forth inaccurate information about child health, exist for the purpose of selling a product or service, or give medical advice. The best resource for this information is your pediatrician. If you do not have a pediatrician, please see our Find a Pediatrician tool (www.healthychildren.org/findapediatrician), or contact the physician referral service at your local hospital or county medical society. Please note that we will not publish links to third-party Web sites within fan postings.

10/29/2026

Making smart choices to ensure a safe and fun Halloween doesn't need to be a scary effort for parents. AAP News recently sat down with Dr. Dina DiMaggio who shared her tips for talking to parents about Halloween safety. Swipe to see her answers and read more in AAP News: https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/35955/talking-with-families-about-halloween-safety?autologincheck=redirected

10/28/2026

Today, we celebrate EMS clinicians who serve on the front lines of pediatric emergency care. Thank you for the critical role you play in assessing, treating, and advocating for children when every second counts. We are grateful for your dedication to advancing pediatric emergency care and improving outcomes for young patients.

10/28/2026

Your favorite pediatricians want you to Vote Kids. 🗳️ As you head to the polls on Tuesday, remember that the decisions made today can shape the health, safety, and well-being of children for years to come.

Ahead of Election Day, take a few minutes to make a voting plan, know where you’ll vote, and make your voice heard for kids and families in your community.

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Dr. Scott Hadland
Dr Joanna Parga-Belinkie
Farida Kwaji, MD | Pediatrician | Urgent care
Tommy Martin, MD | MedPeds
Leah Rappaport
ᗪᖇ. ᗩᒪOK ᑭᗩTEᒪ
Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez, MD
Doctor Rossome

10/27/2026

The AAP has released an updated clinical report on supporting parents and families affected by substance use disorder. Parental substance use is more common than many people realize and affects millions of children across the U.S. It can contribute to serious consequences including family separation, parental overdose and long-term stress that shapes a child's health and well-being.

Families don't experience substance use in a vacuum—bias, racism and inequities shape who gets support and who faces punishment. Pediatricians are in a unique position to support these families by identifying concerns early, building trust and connecting them to care and support. Learn more: https://bit.ly/47K33ok

10/23/2026

Measles cases in the U.S. have more than doubled in the past year, rising from 2,289 reported cases last year to 4,588 this year. Nearly all reported cases (96%) have occurred in people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown.

As measles cases continue to rise across the country, vaccination remains the best way to protect children, families and communities. Learn more in AAP News: https://bit.ly/47BORxM

10/21/2026

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. If exposed, 9 out of 10 people can become infected if they aren't vaccinated. Babies who are too young to be vaccinated and those with weakened immune systems are especially susceptible to illness.

The good news? Measles is preventable with vaccination. Learn more: https://bit.ly/40n4mqa

10/19/2026

Flu is more dangerous than the common cold for children… it can lead to serious illness, hospitalization or even death. And recent flu seasons have been particularly devastating, especially for pediatric groups.

The AAP recommends annual flu vaccination for children 6 months and older without underlying medical conditions. Vaccination is the best way to help prevent flu-related illness, keeping children and communities healthy.

10/16/2026

As pediatricians, AAP grieves with the children, families, and educators affected by the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon. This devastating loss is one more painful reminder of how deeply gun violence harms our children, their schools, and the communities around them.

Behind every news alert are children who walked into their classrooms expecting to be safe. They deserve more than our sorrow. They deserve action.

Gun violence threatens the health and safety of children and teens everywhere. AAP and pediatricians will keep pushing for evidence-based policies that protect children and end gun violence.

10/14/2026

Ever wonder how the AAP determines its childhood vaccine recommendations? The AAP provides evidence-based immunization recommendations and a schedule that is updated annually. In collaboration with key partners, the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases supports every stage of the recommendation process, from reviewing scientific evidence to sharing guidance broadly. These science-based recommendations are essential to improving immunization access and uptake, helping protect children, families and communities.

Learn more about the process and experts involved at the link below: https://bit.ly/3THayJr

10/13/2026

A recent study in Pediatrics (AAP Journals) by CDC researchers found that vaccines reduce the risk of children and teens dying from flu by 80%. In a separate analysis, the CDC estimates flu vaccines prevented nearly 15,000 hospitalizations and 245 deaths in children and teens in the 2024-’25 season.

The flu vaccine saves lives. Pediatricians stress that there’s no way to know if a child will develop serious illness from the flu, so the AAP recommends all children receive the flu vaccine starting at 6 months old. Read more about the flu shot: https://bit.ly/4AYWMm1

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