Opinion: protecting our children means following the proven vaccine schedule
Dr. Penny Borenstein.
By Dr. Penny Borenstein, MD, MPH
Health Officer, County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department
– As a public health officer and as a parent, I know that every decision about a child’s health comes from a place of love and responsibility. Parents want the best for their kids—and they deserve accurate, science-based information.
That’s why I’m deeply concerned about the recent federal decision to reduce the number of vaccines recommended for children in the United States—a move made without the usual review by independent experts or the opportunity for public input.
The West Coast Health Alliance—which brings together public health leaders from California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii—continues to strongly endorse the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommended Immunization Schedule, as do I. The AAP vaccination schedule is grounded in evidence, transparency, and the collective expertise of the medical and scientific community.
When children miss critical immunizations, we risk the return of vaccine-preventable diseases—illnesses that can lead to missed school days, hospitalizations, and even death. In San Luis Obispo County, our community’s strong vaccination rates have protected families, seniors, and entire communities from these preventable threats.
Parents should continue to make informed decisions in close partnership with their pediatrician, based on the AAP’s evidence-based schedule. Vaccination remains one of the greatest achievements in modern medicine—and one of the greatest gifts we can give our children: a healthy, protected future.
