Michigan’s top doctor is advising healthcare providers to prioritize established immunization schedules over recent federal recommendations.
Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s Chief Medical Executive, issued a standing recommendation that prioritizes schedules from the American Academy of Pediatrics or the American Academy of Family Physicians for children and adolescents.
Recommendations from the organizations differ from recent recommendations from federal officials.
Bagdasarian said the established schedules are well-supported by evidence and rigorous review.
She said “Vaccines have played a critical role in the prevention and control of infectious diseases,”
Michigan is joining over a dozen other states, including New York and California, in adopting schedules from the national medical organizations as a standard of care. This move aims to ensure vaccine accessibility and availability across the state.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Division of Immunization consulted on the recommendation. Officials say the guidance should not replace a doctor’s judgment for individual patients. Families are encouraged to discuss any questions with their healthcare providers.
