Vaccines have been a hot topic in recent years, and we understand how overwhelming and confusing it can be for parents to sort through all the information, especially with changing recommendations and headlines.
At Anderson Hills Pediatrics (AHP), we believe knowledge is empowering. Our goal is to provide clear, compassionate guidance so you feel confident making informed decisions about your child’s health. We also want to help you understand why we make the vaccine recommendations we do and how these decisions protect your child and our community.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recently met to review data and update guidelines for several important vaccines, including COVID-19 and the MMRV vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella).
Here’s what you need to know, and how these discussions impact the care we provide at AHP.
MMR vs. MMRV Vaccines
Both the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) and the MMRV vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella) are safe and effective. The difference is that the MMRV combines chickenpox and measles, mumps, and rubella protection into a single shot.
For children under 4 years old, we have not historically given the combined MMRV vaccine. Instead, we recommend that your child receive the MMR vaccine and varicella vaccine separately during the 12 and 15 month well care visits, respectively. This follows ACIP’s most recent recommendations and helps reduce the very small risk of fever or febrile seizures that can occur after vaccination in younger children.
When children are 4 years or older, we often use the MMRV vaccine. At this age, there is no increased seizure risk, and it helps limit the number of injections during one visit.
It’s important to remember that while these risks have always been present, they are extremely rare, and the protection vaccines provide far outweighs the risks of serious illness from measles, mumps, rubella, or chickenpox. For reliable information, visit HealthyChildren.org by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) or the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center’s website.
COVID-19 Vaccines for Kids
The recent ACIP voted to change the COVID-19 vaccine recommendations from “recommended” to “shared clinical decision making” between the patient and physician. At AHP, we will continue to offer and recommend COVID-19 vaccines for our patients greater than 6 months because children, especially those at ages 6–23 months, are at significantly higher risk than older kids of being hospitalized for COVID.
This year, we will offer the Moderna vaccine, which is now the only approved COVID-19 vaccine for children starting at 6 months and older. The Pfizer vaccine will still be available elsewhere for children greater than 5 years old. If your child received the Pfizer vaccine in the past, they can receive a Moderna booster dose without issue.
Because new national guidance may affect insurance coverage, families will be asked to sign an ABN (Advance Beneficiary Notice) before vaccination. This form simply explains that you understand there may be a cost to you if your insurance does not fully cover the vaccine.
We are currently waiting for our 2025–2026 vaccine supply. If you’d like to be contacted as soon as doses are available, text “COVID Waitlist” to 513-232-8100, and our team will add your child or children to the list.
Our Commitment to Your Family
At Anderson Hills Pediatrics, we believe strongly in childhood vaccinations. Vaccines have been vital in keeping children healthy, preventing serious illness, and saving lives. Over the past thirty years in the U.S., routine childhood immunizations have prevented about 508 million illnesses, 32 million hospitalizations, and 1.13 million deaths among children born between 1994 and 2023.
Vaccines also don’t just protect the vaccinated child; they protect families, friends, and the community by reducing the spread of disease and keeping outbreaks rare. We believe the data show that the risks of vaccine-preventable illnesses are far greater than the risks associated with vaccines themselves.
If you have any questions about these vaccines or would like to discuss them further, please call or text our office at 513-232-8100. We are here to help guide and support you every step of the way.