(WKYT) – Medical groups have released their own vaccination guidelines after the federal government said vaccines for diseases like COVID-19 and the flu are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women.
Dr. Patty Swiney, who has worked in the medical profession for nearly 40 years, described the negative perception of vaccinations as difficult.
“It’s disheartening but we’re just going to work through this because I think everyone wants to be healthy,” Swiney said.
Swiney disagrees with the federal government’s guidance.
“To me, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” Swiney said.
On Wednesday, groups including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians released their own vaccination guidelines backed by research that contradicts the government’s message.
“We want you to be healthy, we have no alternative. We’re not trying to make you sick,” Swiney said.
Swiney’s recommendations mirror those of the medical groups. The recommendations include:
- Flu shots for everyone 6 months and older starting in late September to early October, with a high dose for those 65 and older
- COVID-19 vaccinations for those 6 months and older, with a booster six months later for those 65 and older
- An RSV shot for newborns and infants, as well as anyone between the ages of 50 and 74
Swiney is also encouraging pregnant women to get vaccinated.
“If you are pregnant, it is safe during any trimester, so you don’t give your child COVID when they’re first born because they’re the ones that are most susceptible to have severe disease,” Swiney said.
Swiney hopes the general population takes the advice of these medical groups as cold and flu season approaches.