A conservative newspaper has accused the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a professional association for pediatricians in the U.S., of “hijacking” pediatrics, due to the organization’s supportive stance on childhood vaccinations and gender-affirming care. The article criticizes the AAP for recommending COVID-19 vaccines, masks, and gender-affirming care for children.
Recommendation: Consider countering this misinformation by explaining that the recommendations about COVID-19 mitigations and vaccinations are backed by scientific evidence and real-world data showing the effectiveness of vaccines and masks. On each of the issues raised in the article, the AAP is guided by the expertise of its membership and consensus from the national and international medical communities, backed by decades of research. Fact Checking Source(s):