Why Should I Trust You?

A Conversation w Dr Sue Kressly, AAP: On Tension w HHS, Boycotting ACIP, Pharma Influence and On a Path Forward

Feb 5, 2026
Dr. Susan Kressley, a board-certified pediatrician and recent AAP president with 30+ years of clinical experience, recounts leading the AAP through a major clash with HHS. She discusses the AAP’s lawsuit and refusal to endorse recent CDC guidance. Conversations cover ACIP participation, vaccine safety monitoring outside ACIP, and the role of industry funding and transparency in restoring public trust.
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INSIGHT

AAP Broke With CDC Over Schedule

  • The AAP publicly rejected HHS/CDC's new childhood vaccine schedule and endorsed the prior schedule for pediatricians to follow.
  • Susan Kressly framed this as a protective step after experts were excluded from decision processes.
ANECDOTE

Board Took Lawsuit After Heavy Debate

  • Kressly described the AAP board's unanimous, difficult decision to use legal action as one tool among many.
  • She emphasized the board debated extensively before deciding to sue HHS to protect children.
INSIGHT

Shared Decision-Making Misapplied

  • HHS moved six routine childhood vaccines into a "shared clinical decision-making" category, stopping short of universal recommendation.
  • Kressly argues that shared decision-making was misapplied because vaccines do not present equally valid choices.
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