Vaccine Guidance & Reassurance from GBMC Health Partners

Dear GBMC patients and families,

We know that many of you have questions and concerns regarding recent media reports pertaining to vaccines, Tylenol, and autism. We would like to ensure that you have the correct guidance to keep you healthy as winter virus season approaches. GBMC Health Partners follows the evidence-based recommendations from the national professional societies including the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

The summary of vaccine recommendations for flu, COVID and RSV from the AAFP, AAP and ACOG for their relevant populations is below.

Flu Vaccination

• All children 6 months and older

• All adults 18 years and older

• All pregnant women regardless of trimester

COVID Vaccination

• All infants 6 months through 23 months

• All children 2 -18 years, especially those who have a risk factor for severe COVID or are exposed to someone with a risk factor

• All adults 18 years and older, especially those 65 years and older or those who have a risk factor for severe COVID

• All pregnant women regardless of trimester

RSV Vaccination (October-March) when RSV is recommended

• All infants from birth through 8 months during RSV season (October through March)

• High-risk infants (prematurity, chronic lung disease) 8-19 months in their second RSV season

• All pregnant women who are 32 weeks through 36 weeks of gestation

• All adults 65 years and older

AAFP, AAP, and  ACOG also affirm that vaccines do not cause autism and that there is no scientific evidence linking autism to Tylenol during pregnancy. Fever during pregnancy poses significant risks for pregnant mother and unborn infant.

Please contact your provider's office if you have further questions or would like to receive the vaccines.