Advisories and Breaking News
Kids Health First is closely monitoring COVID-19 updates from the leading authorities across the globe, including:
- World Health Organization
- Centers for Disease Control
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- American Board of Pediatrics
- The Office of HHS
- Georgia Department of Public Health
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and
- Other leading authorities.
Please check back often for new developments and community advisories as they become available.
Recent News Updates:
October 15, 2025
How do the COVID-19 Vaccination Schedules differ from the recommendations by the CDC and those by the AAP. As of August 2025, the vaccine schedule developed by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and published by the CDC differs from the AAP-recommended immunization schedule in a few areas. Click here to learn more.
October 14, 2024
JAMA Open Network published a research projecct which studied the affects of COVID-19 on pediatric patients from 2020 to 2022.
"In this retrospective cohort study of 613 602 patients aged 10 to 19 years, there was an increased risk of new diagnoses of type 2 diabetes within 6 months following a diagnosis of COVID-19 compared with a diagnosis of other respiratory infections.
Meaning These findings suggest that understanding the role that SARS-CoV-2 plays in pediatric type 2 diabetes incidence will add an important component to consideration of the risks and benefits of preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in children." To learn more click here.
October 6, 2024
On October 2, 2024, Medscape Newspublished an article on Long COVID Rates in Kids Revised Upward: What to Know. An "August study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, is among the first large comprehensive studies of the disorder in this age group. The study, which followed 5367 children, found that 20% of kids (ages 6-11) and 14% of teens met researchers' threshold for long COVID." To learn more click here.
August 30, 2024
On August 30, 2024 the CDC stated that they recommended that all individuals 6 months and older receive the new COVID-19 vaccination. For more information and to learn which option is best for you, click here.
June 27, 2027
CDC Recommends Updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines for Fall/Winter Virus Season.
Click here to learn more
March 1, 2024
Shared from the AAP Section on Practice Management
Today, CDC announced updated respiratory virus guidance, which includes Covid-19. In brief, people can return to normal activities if symptoms are improving, and they have been fever-free for 24 hours. From the website:
- You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
- Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
- You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
- When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days, such as taking additional , ,, and/or will be around other people indoors.
- Keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. You are likely to be less contagious at this time, depending on factors like how long you were sick or how sick you were.
- If you develop a fever or you start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Then take added precaution for the next 5 days.
- Main page:
- Background/Rationale:
- Preventing Spread:
- Note: CDC offers separate, specific guidance for healthcare settings (, , and ).
November 29, 2023
According to Medscape," an emerging variant of COVID-19 called BA.2.86 that caused alarm earlier this summer has landed on the CDC's radar again." Earlier this week, the CDC issued an alert regarding this variant. While it does not appear to be causing an increase in hospitalizations, this variant is the third leading source of COVID in the U.S. today. Click here to learn more.
** This report does not specifically mention children.
September 14, 2023
On September 12, 2023 the CDC recommended updated COVID-19 vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older for the upcoming virus season. The vaccines should be available later this week. Click here to learn more.
August 11, 2023
When to Expect the New COVID-19 Vaccines
A recent uptick in COVID-19 cases this summer has primarily been related to the XBB variants, which are descended from the original Omicron variant. The new COVID-19 vaccines are targeted to address these new variants and may be available by the end of September from Pfizer, Moderna, and possibly Novavax. However, before that can happen both the FDA and the CDC must sign off on these new vaccines.
After a meeting with outside vaccine advisors in June, the FDA asked the vaccine makers to use only “a single component targeting the XBB.1.5 variant to broaden immunity.” This is a change from the latest bivalent recipe.
For more information on when the new COVID-19 vaccine will be available and who will be eligible click here.
July 13, 2023
CDC to launch "Bridge Access Program" in Fall 2023 to provide free COVID-19 vaccines to uninsured and underinsured adults. Many of the children served by KHF pediatricians are uninsured or underinsured, as well as their parents. This is important information to share with those parents so that they too can be protected against COVID-19 in the future. Click here to learn more.
PLEASE READ: May 11, 2023
With the end of the PHE, the American Academy of Pediatrics President, Sandy Chung, MD, FAAP, has issued the following message. Please read the entirety of this message.
A Message from AAP President Sandy Chung, MD, FAAP May 11, 2023 Dear AAP member: Today, the U.S. ended the Public Health Emergency (PHE) for the COVID-19 pandemic. We have all experienced the myriad and lasting impacts on the mental and physical health of the children and families we care for as well as on our profession. The end of the PHE doesn’t end these impacts, but it does mark a transition in how we will manage this crisis moving forward. I want to communicate with you what AAP is doing now. A few items on our short list: Disease surveillance: With the end of the PHE, we will no longer have access to as much data on the number of child COVID-19 infections. The AAP will be sunsetting our weekly tracking of state COVID reports, but we will continue disease surveillance as we do for other infectious diseases. We’re committed to sharing real-time updates as needed. We must also continue to prepare for future surges of COVID-19, which may occur as the virus continues to mutate. Mental health: Given the magnitude of loss in the pandemic, I wanted to share a resource to help you care for children and families experiencing trauma. See the webpage on Trauma-Informed Care, which includes a PediaLink course and other resources. We continue to advocate for changes to improve the payment and availability of resources for pediatricians who are taking care of children and adolescents with mental health conditions. COVID-19 vaccine recommendations: The CDC has updated its mRNA COVID-19 vaccine recommendations to recommend only bivalent vaccine and simplify the dosing for younger children. We know, however, this remains complex for pediatric practices. AAP offers a quick reference dosing guide, which we will continue to update as recommendations change. CDC is hosting a webinar at 2 p.m. ET today on the updated recommendations. Learn more here. Getting paid for giving bivalent COVID vaccines: Based on the updated CDC guidelines, six new immunization administration CPT codes have been created for the reporting of immunizations for COVID-19. More information is here. COVID-19 vaccine ordering: Based on our conversation with the Association of Immunization Managers, states remain able to place orders for both Pfizer and Moderna bivalent vaccines from the existing U.S. stockpile, which is anticipated to last through summer. If pediatricians in your state are experiencing supply issues, work with your chapter to contact your state Immunization Program Manager. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meets June 21-22 to discuss fall strain selection and fall vaccine recommendations. We will bring you updates as they unfold. AAP continues to advocate for ways to make it possible for pediatricians to offer the COVID-19 vaccine, including:
Telehealth: The Drug Enforcement Administration listened to comments from AAP and extended telehealth flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances at least through November rather than ending with the PHE. Meanwhile AAP offers an online course to help pediatricians meet the requirement for eight hours of training. Immigrant health: We are closely monitoring the situation for children and families at the U.S. southern border once the public health law used to expel immigrant children and families during the PHE, known as Title 42, expires. Stay tuned for more information soon. We continue to work together to ensure that infants, children, adolescents, and young adults can achieve optimal health and wellbeing. Thank you for all that you do, every day, to take the best care of families in your communities. Warmest regards, Sandy Chung, MD, FAAP President | ||
On Tuesday, April 18, 2023, the FDA authorized changes to simplify use of the Bivalent mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines. "This action includes authorizing the current bivalent vaccines (original and omicron BA.4/BA.5 strains) to be used for all doses administered to individuals 6 months of age and older, including for an additional dose or doses for certain populations. The monovalent Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorized for use in the United States." To learn more click here.
PLEASE READ: On Tuesday, April 11, the HHS Office for Civil Rights announced the expiration of COVID-19 Public Health Emergency HIPAA notifications of enforcement discretion. This. expire at 11:59 PM on May 11, 2023, sue to the expiration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. To learn more click here.
On Friday, March 17, 2023 the American Hospital Association posted the following news from the HHS and the Kaiser Family Foundation on emergency use authorization in light of the coming end of the PHE, and the recent survey on states approach to ending the continuous enrollment on March 31st and how it will impact Medicaid and CHIP recipients. Please see below for the information:
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Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra this week amended the February 2020 COVID-19 emergency use authorization declaration so that the Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorizations for COVID-19 diagnostics, personal protective equipment, other medical devices, and drug and biological products will remain in effect until there is no longer a “significant potential” for a COVID-19 public health emergency or the authorized devices or products have been approved. For more information, see the FDA’s EUA questions and answers. | |
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The latest annual survey of state Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program directors by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Georgetown University Center for Children and Families looks at state approaches to renewing Medicaid and CHIP enrollments over the past year and once the COVID-19 public health emergency’s continuous enrollment requirement ends on March 31. According to the January survey, all states have encouraged enrollees to update their contact information; 43 states have continued to process ex parte renewals over the past year; 41 states are engaging managed care organizations to help with renewals; and 35 states are prioritizing renewals based on factors such as time since last renewal and potential ineligibility. More than two-thirds of states said they have extended or plan to extend postpartum coverage for a full 12-months post pregnancy. |
President Biden to end public health emergency in May, 2023. On Tuesday, January 31, 2023 the AP News reported the President informed Congress that he "will end the twin national emergencies for addressing COVID-19 on May 11, as most of the world has returned closer to normalcy nearly three years after they were first declared." Click here for more detailed information. See additional information below:
Here’s What the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Could Mean for Federal Agencies (Government Executive)
Fact Sheet: COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Transition Roadmap (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
U.S. Plans to End Public Health Emergency for COVID in May
The CDC expands use of COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 6 months thru 5 years. On Friday, December 9, 2022 the CDC updated the use of the bivalent vaccines from both Moderna and Pfizer BioNTech for children as young as 6 months of age. Click here for more detailed information.
The CDC expands use of COVID-19 vaccines for ages 5 thru 11 for Pfizer and 6 thru 17 for Moderna. On Wednesday, October 12, 2022 the CDC expanded use of the updated (bivalent) vaccine for both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccine for children and adolescents. Click here for more detailed information.
The CDC announces recommendation of the first updated COVID-19 booster. Thursday, September 1. CDC's Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., endorsed the ACIP's committee recommendations for the updated COVID-19 boosters from Pfizer-BioNTech (ages 12 years and older) and from Moderna (ages 18 years and older). Click here for more information.
FDA announces amended emergency use authorization of bivalent COVID Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna boosters-August 31, 2022 . FDA announces the EUA approval of bivalent formulations of the vaccines for use as a single booster dose at least two months following primary or booster vaccination for specific age groups. Click here for more information.
CDC Director Rachel Walensky endorses the ACIP recommendation-June 18,2022 the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices met to the discuss the FDA's recommendation on the EUA of both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for children 6 months thru 5 years of age. Click here for more information.
FDA is one step closer to EUA of COVID vaccines for children under age 5-June 15, 2022. Click here for more information.
FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) is tentatively scheduled to meet on June 15, 2022.
Pfizer-BioNTech reports strong immune response in children under 5 years of age following a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine-May 23, 2022 Pfizer reported that "based on toppling data, three doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine met all immunobridging criteria required for Emergency Use Authorization." Click here for more information.
CDC recommends that all individuals age 5 and older receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster- May 19, 2022. Click here for more information.
FDA expands eligibility for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster for children 5-11 years old-May 17, 2022. Click here for more information.
CMS announces updates on COVID-19 vaccinations and distribution-May 6, 2022 CMS announced updated recommendations on COVID-19 vaccinations, distribution and Medicaid, and CHIP reporting requirements and implications. Click here for more information.
Moderna asks the FDA for authorization of its two-dose regimen of the COVID-19 booster in children under the age of 6-April 27,2022 Moderna requested EUA authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine for younger children. Click here for more information.
Pfizer announces results for COVID-19 booster in children 5-11 years of age-On April 14, 2022. Click here for more information.
The FDA announces EUA of first breathalyzer test in detecting COVID-April 14, 2022, FDA announced the emergency use authorization of a breathalyzer test that can detect SARS-CoV-2 infection. Click here for more information.
Moderna announces preliminary results for COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5 years of age-March 23, 2022. Click here for more information.
FDA Delays Approval of COVID vaccine for children under 5-On February 11, 2022, the FDA delayed Pfizer's request to approve the emergency use authorization of their COVID-19 vaccine for children under the age of 5. The FDA is seeking clinical data on the evaluation of a third dose before moving forward. Click here for more information.
Pfizer-BioNTech Initiates Rolling Submission EAU of COVID vaccine for children under 5-February 1, 2022. Click here for more information.
AAP addresses parents' concerns about the Omicron variant in a newly released article-January 21, 2022, (www.healthy children.org). Click here for more information.
Effectiveness of Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine against MIS-C-January 7, 2022. CDC reported that in a study involving of 24 pediatric hospitals across the country, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine showed a high level of effectiveness against MIS-C in children ages 12-18. "Receipt of 2 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is highly effective in preventing MIS-C in persons aged 12–18 years. These findings further reinforce the COVID-19 vaccination recommendation for eligible children." Click here for more information.
CDC updates masking guidelines-January 14, 2022. Click here for more information.
CDC clarifies recommendations for isolation and quarantine-January 9, 2022 CDC clarified its recommendations on isolation and quarantine for those exposed to, or positive for COVID-19. Click here for those updated guidelines.
CDC expands booster shot eligibility for 12-17 year olds-January 5, 2022 CDC endorsed the ACIP recommendation to expand eligibility of booster doses to 12-17-year-olds, five months after initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series. Click here for more information.
FDA authorizes first booster for COVID-19 for 12-15 yr. olds-January 3, 2022. FDA authorized a booster of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 12-15. Click here for more information.
CNN reports 16- and 17-year-olds are now eligible for a Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine booster-On December 9, 2021 CNN reported that the US Food and Drug Administration authorized the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for use as a booster in people ages 16 and 17, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended it for this age group. Click here for more information.
CDC: Booster Vaccines-On November 29, 2021 the CDC announced that everyone over the age of 18 should receive a COVID-19 booster vaccine. Click here for more information.
CDC: What you need to know about variants-On November 27, 2021, the CDC explains what you need to know about variants, including the newly identified Omicron variant. As of this date, no known cases of the Omicron variant have been discovered in the U.S. Stay tuned for developing news. Click here for more information.
CDC: Interim Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People-November 19, 2021. Click here to view the updated recommendations.
CDC: The Center for Disease Control advises vaccines for children ages 5-11-November 2, 2021. Click here for more information.
Pfizer: COVID-19 vaccine produces significant immune response in children ages 5-11 years-September 20, 2021 “We are encouraged by Pfizer-BioNTech’s announcement and look forward to reviewing the data from the clinical trial,” said AAP President Lee Savio Beers, M.D., FAAP. Click here for more information.
American Academy of Pediatrics Cautions Against Off-label Use of COVID-19 Vaccines in Children Under 12- August 23,2021. Click here for more information.
HHS Revises Definition of “Lost Revenue,” Clarifies Definition of “Reporting Entity,” and Expands Phase III Eligibility
On October 22, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued revised instructions regarding permitted uses of Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments. The legislation creating the PRF restricts its use to “healthcare-related expenses or lost revenues that are attributable to coronavirus” and requires recipients to report on their use of funds. Read our detailed explanation of the HHS revisions here.
The Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) School Health Committee has developed a toolkit that can serve as a template for how the pediatrician can become involved in school re-openings.
New Report: U.S. Schools Have Avoided Spike in COVID-19 Cases
Reuters recently reported Friday, Oct. 2, that U.S. schools from kindergarten to high school have avoided a spike in COVID-19 cases, noting reassuring data that shows you can open schools safely when you put in place the right measures and have control of community spread. Medical experts say the real test is coming as students in large densely-populated cities such as New York and Miami return to classrooms.
- Update on CPT Code 87426 – The Chapter learned last week that the Georgia Department of Community Health (Medicaid) is reimbursing CPT code 87426 at a “default rate” of $15 until CMS sets a rate for this code. Once the rate has been set, Georgia Medicaid will have all Fee for Service claims reprocessed at the higher rate.
- Flu Vaccine Bidirectional Borrowing – Georgia VFC has announced they will allow borrowing between VFC and private flu vaccine stocks for the 2020-2021 flu season. Please refer to the recently released guidance here.
- AAP Updates Guidance on Returning to Sports Activities – On September 17th, the AAP updated its guidance for children and teens who participate in sports activities, clarifying the recommended amount of time athletes should be held out of practices and games if they or close contacts show symptoms or test + for COVID-19.
Health Inequity in the Hispanic/Latinx Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic– 9/2/20
The Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) School Health Committee has developed a toolkit that can serve as a template for how the pediatrician can become involved in school re-openings.