The American Academy of Pediatrics and Dr. Schramm continue to support the evidence-based childhood vaccine schedule.

Press Statement by Andrew D. Racine, MD, PhD, FAAP, AAP President:

January 5, 2026

AAP Opposes Federal Health Officials’ Unprecedented Move to Remove Universal Childhood Immunization Recommendations 

“Today’s announcement by federal health officials to arbitrarily stop recommending numerous routine childhood immunizations is dangerous and unnecessary. The longstanding, evidence-based approach that has guided the U.S. immunization review and recommendation process remains the best way to keep children healthy and protect against health complications and hospitalizations. 

“For decades, leading health experts, immunologists, and pediatricians have carefully reviewed new data and evidence as part of the immunization recommendation process, helping to keep newborns, infants, and children protected from diseases they could be exposed to in the United States as they develop and grow. Today’s decision, which was based on a brief review of other countries’ practices, upends this deliberate scientific process. 

“Said to be modeled in part after Denmark’s approach, the new recommendations issued today by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention no longer recommend routine immunization for many diseases with known impacts on America’s children, such as hepatitis A and B, rotavirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), flu, and meningococcal disease. AAP continues to recommend that children be immunized against these diseases, and for good reason; thanks to widespread childhood immunizations, the United States has fewer pediatric hospitalizations and fewer children facing serious health challenges than we would without this community protection. 

“The United States is not Denmark, and there is no reason to impose the Danish immunization schedule on America’s families. America is a unique country, and Denmark’s population, public health infrastructure, and disease-risk differ greatly from our own.  

“At a time when parents, pediatricians and the public are looking for clear guidance and accurate information, this ill-considered decision will sow further chaos and confusion and erode confidence in immunizations. This is no way to make our country healthier. 

“During this uncertain time, the AAP will continue to publish our own childhood vaccine recommendations. My message for parents today is this: As a parent, you know your child and what they need to thrive. Your child’s pediatrician has the medical training, special knowledge, and scientific evidence about how to support children’s health, safety and wellbeing. Working together, you can make informed decisions about what’s best for your child. If you have questions about vaccines or anything else, your child’s pediatrician is there to help.   

“The Academy’s mission has never been more vital. The AAP and our pediatrician members will continue to stand up for children, just as we have done for the past 95 years.”  

### 

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. 

Dr. Schramm featured in podcast about organ donation

 I recently participated in a podcast about organ donation, as I donated part of my liver in May 2024. 

I encourage everyone to have discussions with their family members about the possibility of organ donation, and to register with giftoflife.org to see if they are a match for someone who needs a lifesaving bone marrow transplant.

If you can make time to hear everyone's story that would be wonderful, but if not, the sections about my experience are at 9:22, 46:51, 1:21:00, 1:40:10, 1:52:24 and 2:13:29.

Chosen Links by Boaz: Living Donors

 New free online parenting, coaching and teenage mental health services!

The state of California (Dept of Health Care Services) has invested in the following services so that they are FREE for all California residents:

#1:  Brightlife Kids provides unlimited online coaching services for kids 0-12 years old and their parents. This may include parenting, help for sleeping, worries, tantrums and healthy coping skills.  If a child's issues need more in-depth help then therapy will be recommended and they (and I) can provide more resources. 

Here's the website!  hellobrightline.com/brightlifekids

#2:  Soluna app; for teens 13 and up:

The Soluna app provides anonymous, confidential 1:1 mental health coaching either over the phone or chatting through the app anytime. Read more about it at solunaapp.com

Infants under 8 months: protection against RSV!

Now available: Immunization to protect babies from RSV, a yearly cold-like illness that is particularly serious in newborns and very young infants. Unlike other colds, it frequently goes to the chest, and because babies have tiny lungs they fill up with mucus quickly. They can have wheezing, labored breathing, pneumonia, or stop breathing. About 2/3 of babies catch it their first RSV season, approximately October through April. About 20% of these infants develop wheezing, and 2% of healthy, full-term babies are hospitalized and 6% of preterm infants, with the youngest at the highest risk. We all continue to catch RSV every year or two, but with fewer symptoms each time because of stronger immune systems and bigger lungs (until over 50, when it worsens again; people over 65 are also advised to get this immunization).

This RSV immunization (Beyfortus) is different from vaccines in that it is actually an injection of antibodies against RSV. A single dose will circulate for at least 5 months. It was studied in about 1000 full-term and 1000 preterm infants, and decreased office visits, hospital visits, and hospitalization by about 75%. It can be given at the same time as other vaccines, but for the youngest babies it should be given as soon as possible. Less than 1% of babies got a fever, rash or redness at the injection site as side effects.

Read details here: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7234a4.htm

It has just become available for pediatricians to order, and we just got our first doses delivered. Because the CDC and ACIP have recommended its use in all babies under 8 months old, standard insurances should cover it, but we just haven't been told when yet – likely in the next few weeks. 

Daylight Saving Time ending! Helping kids adjust to the upcoming time change so they don't start waking up at 5am.

 My favorite sleep expert, Dr Craig Canapari of the Yale Pediatric Sleep Center, has a great article on this. 

"Falling Back"

 Affected by the infant formula shortage or just wondering about the differences in brands?  

Substitute formula recommendations during the shortage

Everything you wanted to know about choosing a baby formula

Looks like we should all be getting blackout curtains...

 Small but fascinating study suggesting that even low levels of light when we are sleeping can activate our sympathetic ("fight-or-flight") nervous system and adversely affect our blood sugar regulation and cardiac health.  

Original article in Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences

And the NPR summary

COVID vaccines now recommended by CDC for ages 12 & up

 Today's announcement from the LACDPH:

Starting tomorrow, Los Angeles County vaccination providers may begin offering the Pfizer vaccine for 12 to 15-year-olds at vaccination sites that offer the Pfizer vaccine. All eight county run sites will be open tomorrow and able to vaccinate children 12-17; teens should be accompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible adult, and present a photo ID and verification of age.  For a full list of sites across the county offering Pfizer vaccines, please visit http://bit.ly/PfizerSites . To schedule an appointment, visit www.VaccinateLACounty.com beginning this evening; walk-ins are welcome at all 8 county-run sites.  Parents or teens with questions about the vaccine should contact their healthcare provider or visit the Public Health website for more information on vaccine safety and efficacy.

From the American Academy of Pediatrics:

Safety

Pfizer and CDC officials reviewed data on safety and efficacy of the vaccine during Wednesday’s ACIP meeting. Pfizer and BioNTech conducted trials in more than 2,000 adolescents ages 12-15 with half randomized to receive the vaccine and half to receive a placebo.

The most common side effects in adolescents were pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, chills, muscle pain, fever and joint pain, consistent with trials in older teens and adults.

About 6% of vaccine recipients experienced an adverse event, including seven cases of swollen lymph nodes. There were five serious adverse events in the vaccine group (0.4%) including one person with abdominal pain, constipation and neuralgia and others with depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. None of the serious events were determined to be related to the vaccine and no deaths were reported. There also were no reports of blood clots, serious allergic reactions or Bell’s palsy.

Efficacy

Vaccine efficacy for this age group was 100%. Among just over 1,000 vaccine recipients, there were no cases of COVID-19, while 16 were reported among more than 970 placebo recipients. An immunogenicity analysis in 190 participants also showed their response was even better than the response for those ages 16-25 years.

I do recommend vaccinating kids 12-17. I think this Washington Post piece summarized the data well:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/03/24/case-vaccinating-children-covid-19/

I am sorry that I am unable to offer the vaccine in my office yet.  Pfizer's vaccine requires a special, ultra-cold freezer and also only comes in shipments of 1200 doses.  Both of these are expected to change in the coming months. My website will be updated with all news. 

Stop the ice for sore muscles?

It is important to me that the advice we give as doctors is based on evidence, but sometimes when we don't have that, we rely on tradition.  I am glad when "the way we've always done it" is given a fresh look.  In this article, the author discusses new studies that suggest that the common practice of applying ice after muscle injuries may do more harm than good...

No ice for sore muscles?

Is coronavirus still a big deal? YES.

Just because we are tired of this doesn't mean it is going away. The virus doesn't care how we feel about it.

I continue to get calls EVERY DAY from families in my practice who have been exposed to or caught coronavirus.  Some family members have become seriously ill,  fortunately none of them children.  As studies have shown, symptoms in kids range from nothing at all to mild congestion and runny nose, or low-grade fever, to high fevers, coughing, vomiting, and loss of taste or smell.  So potentially any sign of illness could be coronavirus.  Please continue to wear masks and socially distance to prevent spread and stay home for 10 days if your child has any sign of illness.  1500 people died from the flu in L.A. County in all of 2019, but 5381 people have died from COVID in L.A. County as of today, only 6 months after it started. See publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/data/index.htm

Back-to-school time

Because kids themselves (and people under 40 with no risk factors) are at low risk of serious illness (death rate about 0.1%), many kids may be able to return to school under careful protocols.  Each family has to consider their individual situation and risk to family members, however.  Every exposure to another person increases risk and many families have made the decision to keep their kids at home.  For those who are sending their kids to school and daycare I am concerned about exposure to grandparents, whose risk is much higher.  The risk  in people over 60 was 10% and over 75 20-30%.  Fatalities currently are going down in Los Angeles, but this is partially because there are fewer cases among the elderly, where nursing homes were hit hard at the beginning, and more among younger people, who are more likely to have mild cases. 

For more information here is a SUPER HELPFUL website!

explaincovid.org

Stay safe!

Updates from our office!

It is very quiet now in the office so we can open up to more well visits.  We are now seeing 0-4 year olds and 11 year olds for checkups. In addition, any child who is overdue for a vaccine may have a nurse-only visit at any time. Please call for an appointment. 

For everyone's safety:

We have only one patient in the office at a time.

Morning and early afternoons are reserved for well visits only.

Only one parent may attend and no siblings.

There is no check-in; you can go straight to your room upon arrival.

Only the minimum in-office is done: Maggie does the measurements and screenings and Dr. Schramm's exam, then shots.

In the afternoon a separate 15-minute video chat from home with Dr. Schramm gives you plenty of time for discussion and questions.  You can download the sprucecare app on your phone from the top of my website.

We all wear masks and we ask that you and your child do too (if they are 2 or older.) Dr. Schramm is in full PPE + n95 for every visit, but kids don't seem to mind.

We thoroughly clean & sanitize after every patient. Donations of Lysol or other EPA-registered disinfectants are gratefully accepted.

If it stays quiet, we should be able to add other ages.  

Hope to see you soon!

Stay well everyone!

We are open every day 9-5 and you can call me anytime!

We have strictly limited in-office visits so that those that need to come can be safe.

In the office, we are seeing the following:
   
MORNINGS

     - well infants and toddlers for checkups and vaccines

     - well kids of any age who are due for vaccines (vaccine visit only)

AFTERNOON

     - sick kids via telemedicine

     - not "sick" but having a problem, via telemedicine (ADHD, injury, developmental issues etc.)

     - sick kids in the office in the rare cases that telemedicine is not appropriate

COVID-19 recommendations and office changes

     As more cases of community spread have been reported in Los Angeles, it has become clear that it is time to not only be vigilant about hygiene (using hand sanitizer, soap and not touching our faces) but also to practice social distancing.  This means staying home as much as possible and avoiding unnecessary contact with others.  Please do this if you or your child shows any sign of illness, but even if not.

     Kids appear to be at low risk for serious illness, fortunately, but are frequently carriers of illness to friends and family members, as we all know.  For this reason, I recommend that as much as possible kids are kept away from older family members (over 60) who are at higher risk for serious illness.  Even kids who appear perfectly healthy can be less than 24 hours from developing fever or cough (and thus contagious during this asymptomatic time).

     If we can "flatten the curve" so that the virus spreads more slowly, then we can avoid overwhelming hospitals.  Here's a great explanation:
https://www.wired.com/story/whats-social-distancing-flattening-curve-covid-19-questions/

     If your child is sick, I am always available to talk.

Here are some FAQs:
1 - Well visits
     We are sanitizing frequently in the office and moving all well visits to the morning so babies can stay up to date on their shots and checkups as safely as possible.  We are also asking for well visits 2 yrs and up to be temporarily deferred.  Sick visits are being moved to the afternoon. Please keep in mind that patients will be asked to stay in the rooms, so try to avoid bringing siblings.

2 - Mild runny nose/cough, no fever or low fever (under 102)
     Ideally, I would love to test everyone for COVID-19, but we have very few test kits.  I am looking forward to wider availability of testing, either in our office or drive-through. As of today, we are being asked to limit testing to those who have fever, cough AND a known contact with COVID-19 or recent travel from Italy, Iran or China.  For now, children with mild respiratory illnesses should stay home and avoid contact with others until they are completely well. They may also be brought to the office if you are concerned and would like them to be seen.

3 - Moderate respiratory illness (fever over 102 or lasting >72 hours, fever that started after 3 days of a cold, cough more than every 10 minutes, labored breathing that is relieved by asthma medicine)
     Should come in & be seen in the office or at urgent care.

4 - Severe respiratory illness (labored breathing, decreased drinking so not urinating at least every 8 hours, lethargy even after ibuprofen)
     Call me but may need to be seen in ER.

Coronavirus recommendations

The Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Health website is the best way to stay informed!
Here is a wonderful, detailed guide to what you can do to protect yourself: http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/GuidanceParentsEnglish.pdf
You can also subscribe to their twitter feed for updates!

Coronavirus update 2/8 from the LAC Dept of Public Health

Public Health Statement About the Facts of Coronavirus

LOS ANGELES - In the face of a significant increase in the numbers of confirmed cases of novel coronavirus (2019 nCoV) in mainland China, many LA County residents are worried and fearful. The Los Angeles Department of Public Health (Public Health) urges residents and visitors to get the facts and take positive steps to reduce their risk.

There is only 1 case of novel coronavirus in LA County, in a non-resident traveler from Wuhan City, and there has been no subsequent community transmission of the virus.  There are only 12 cases of novel coronavirus across the entire United States and while it is likely that there will be additional cases, actions have been taken to limit the spread of the virus in our country.  Recent travelers who have visited mainland China are screened at the airport and provided with information about restricting their movements, monitoring their health and connecting with their provider and local public health department should they feel ill for 14 days after last being in mainland China.  Guidance has been sent to school districts, universities and colleges explaining the new directives which restrict staff and students who returned from traveling in mainland China after February 2, for 14 days after leaving mainland China.  These actions can help identify individuals who may have been exposed to the virus and reduce the spread of the virus to others. 

With rising reports of reduced patronage of Chinese owned businesses, bullying and stigmatization on school and college campuses, and rampant xenophobia on social media, Public Health is encouraging people to focus on facts, not fear.  The fact is novel coronavirus is NOT currently spreading in the community in Los Angeles County nor in the United States, and immediate risk to the general public in Los Angeles County is low. Residents can continue to enjoy all their usual activities and feel comfortable eating and shopping at restaurants and stores that are owned and operated by our Chinese neighbors and friends.

“Discrimination targeting our Asian American and Chinese American friends, neighbors and businesses is harmful to our entire community,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd. “This is not the time for the perpetuation of stereotypes and misinformation about novel coronavirus.  Public Health encourages everyone to continue to enjoy all that our Asian communities have to offer.”

“People have a right to be afraid, but must understand that outbreaks and pandemics are human tragedies that impact us all directly or indirectly as ONE diverse community,” Dr. Muntu Davis, County Health Officer, added. “Embracing, not stigmatizing, others and spreading accurate information about what’s happening locally is what helps manage our fear and both the individual and collective actions needed to protect our entire community.”

Public Health continues to recommend that the public do the following to protect themselves from all respiratory illnesses:

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Limit close contact, like kissing and sharing cups or utensils, with people who are sick.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve (not your hands).
• Facemasks are most effective when used appropriately by health care workers and people who are sick.
• Get a flu immunization to prevent influenza if you have not done so this season.

Please continue to offer welcoming environments for ALL members of our community. Neither the California State Public Health Department, nor Los Angeles County Public Health recommend that any normally scheduled events be cancelled due to novel coronavirus. There is no community spread of the novel coronavirus in the Unites States at this time, and the risk to the general public remains low.

Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about novel coronavirus

• Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/

• California Department of Public Health

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/nCOV2019.aspx

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/novel-coronavirus-2019.html

• World Health Organization

https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus

Preparing for Daylight Savings Time with kids?
Here's a great article from the director of the Yale Pediatric Sleep Center.  Some of you may recognize his name because I often recommend his website, drcraigcanapari.com.
https://parenting.nytimes.com/sleep/daylight-saving-time?type=roundup&link=intro

Happy 4th of July everyone!
Since my last post, there were 2 additional brief measles exposures at restaurants in Brentwood and Westwood on June 7 & 8 from travelers, but the incubation period has now passed with no additional cases reported.  If you would like to get updates right away, I recommend subscribing to get the L.A. Dept. of Public Health twitter/Facebook/email updates. That website is publichealth.lacounty.gov

It has now been 26 days since the last reported case of measles in Los Angeles.  Since the incubation time for measles is 21 days, this should mean we have seen the last of our local outbreak.  Parents of babies too young to be vaccinated can breathe easier and feel comfortable resuming normal activities.

Welcome!  I am happy to have this new forum in which to tell families about medical and office news that may be of interest!

As of September 1, 2019, we are starting two new administrative policies for all patients.  Look for details in the mail.  You can also read about them under the "new patients" tab.