The MeidasTouch Podcast – Meidas Health, Episode 14

Guest: Dr. Susan Kressley, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Host: Ron Filipkowski (MeidasTouch Network)
Release Date: August 31, 2025

Episode Overview

This special episode addresses urgent developments in US public health leadership, particularly the abrupt firing of senior CDC officials by the current administration—an event widely described as "unprecedented." Dr. Susan Kressley, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), joins Ron Filipkowski for an in-depth discussion on the ramifications for pediatric health. The conversation covers the fallout from these firings, the politicization of child health guidance, the AAP’s proactive stance in advocacy and litigation, and clear, data-driven recommendations for parents regarding COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccinations as the new school year and respiratory virus season begin.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why This “Take 2” Episode and the CDC Firings

• The planned episode was rescheduled following the unexpected firing of the CDC Director and several top clinicians. The AAP felt compelled to react and provide the public clarity and actionable advice.
  • Quote: “Pediatricians are terrified about the recent decisions made by the administration. And quite frankly, it’s rattled the foundation of how we can deliver health care to children in this country.”
    — Dr. Susan Kressley [02:55]
• The firings are described as removing one of the two foundational pillars of child health in the US: public health leadership and frontline pediatric clinicians.
• Dr. Kressley warns of escalating misinformation/disinformation campaigns targeting vaccine recommendations—particularly around long-debunked links between vaccines and autism.

2. The Stakes: Threats to Science-Based Child Health Policy

• Current administrative decisions are canceling critical child health research (e.g., for childhood cancer), changing FDA approval processes, installing unqualified leaders, and sowing public distrust.
  • Quote: “They have changed the way that we approve medications, the FDA approves medications. They’ve totally hijacked the process, put in people who are not within the realm of expertise…”
    — Dr. Susan Kressley [06:14]
• The AAP sees these moves as necessitating vocal, proactive leadership beyond traditional “medical lane” boundaries.

3. AAP’s Transformation from Guidance to Advocacy

• The AAP is now suing HHS to protect evidence-based guidance—a notable shift from standard medical society behavior, driven by a perceived attack on science and children’s welfare.
  • Quote: “If not us, then who?…It was no light decision to have pediatricians decide to step up and sue the HHS secretary. But if that’s what it takes…then so be it.”
    — Dr. Susan Kressley [12:02]

4. Addressing the Minnesota Mass Shooting: Policy vs. False Narratives

• Brief acknowledgment of the recent tragedy: Kressley decries the “mental health crisis” explanation as a deflection from the core issue—easy firearm access—and stresses that policymakers cannot abdicate their duty to create a safe environment for children.
  • Quote: “We as healthcare providers…can’t do this alone, while policymakers are abdicating themselves of their responsibility and obligation to set the environment that protects children.”
    — Dr. Susan Kressley [16:26]

5. New CDC Leadership & Messaging Challenges

• The new CDC director, Jim O’Neill, has limited public health experience and controversial stances (e.g., advocating for ivermectin). Dr. Kressley stresses the need for all involved to “step up” and maintain medical integrity, especially around upcoming vaccine policies.
  • Quote: “The House of Medicine did not cause the environment that we’re in and we can’t alone fix it…we need all of our elected officials to step up and do what’s right.”
    — Dr. Susan Kressley [18:28]

Practical Guidance for Families: Back to School & Vaccines

6. Where to Find Trusted Health Information

• Top Recommendation:
  • AAP’s family resource: HealthyChildren.org ([21:45])
  • Also, visit your personal pediatrician—a trusted partner in your child’s health journey.
  • For adult/multi-generational households: immunize.org

7. AAP Recommendations for the 2025 Respiratory Virus Season

COVID-19 Vaccines

• For Children Ages 6–23 Months:

  • AAP recommends all children in this age group get the COVID-19 vaccine (primary series), regardless of underlying conditions
    • “Everyone [in that group]…everyone…healthy kids, unhealthy kids, all kids.”
      — Dr. Susan Kressley [27:03]
    • The risk: This group has the highest rates of hospitalization for COVID-19 among kids.

• For Children 2–18 Years:

  • Vaccination strongly recommended for:
    • Those at high risk for severe disease
    • Residents of group/congregate settings
    • Those who never received a primary COVID-19 series
    • Children living with high-risk individuals
      • Quote: “All those groups…deserve to have access to that vaccine in every community in the country.”
        — Dr. Susan Kressley [31:48]

Why Children’s Vaccination Matters in Multi-Generational Homes

• Vaccines reduce severity, not necessarily all infections—they limit household viral load and help protect immunocompromised or elderly relatives.
  • Quote: “You have a much lower viral load…much lower chance of spreading that [virus] around in significant numbers.”
    — Dr. Susan Kressley [33:03]

COVID-19 Vaccine Misunderstandings

• The main benefit is protecting against severe illness (hospitalization, ICU, death), not necessarily preventing mild infections.
  • Quote: “Those vaccines…were never designed to keep you from testing positive or getting sick…they were designed to reduce the risk of the severity of your illness.”
    — Dr. Susan Kressley [33:03]
• Sharp rejection of administration’s narrower “risk group only” stance for 6–23 months kids.

Influenza (Flu)

• Everyone 6 months & older should get an annual flu shot—no exceptions.
  • No new changes to this guidance; any available FDA-approved flu vaccine is acceptable.
  • Flu can be severe and unpredictable, even in healthy kids.

COVID-19 + Flu: Simultaneous Dosing

• Kids can safely receive flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same visit—arm location doesn’t matter.
  • Quote: “Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes and yes…What we want your child to do is be protected wherever and whenever we can protect them from a vaccine preventable illness.”
    — Dr. Susan Kressley [45:11]

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

• New tools available:
  • RSV vaccine for seniors and pregnant women (protects newborns via maternal antibodies).
  • Monoclonal antibody shots for infants up to 8 months—especially crucial as RSV season begins (October–March).
  • High-risk infants may receive a second season of protection.

Logistics: Vaccine Access & Coverage

• Most children receive vaccines via the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, which covers the cost for Medicaid-eligible, uninsured, or underinsured children.
• AAP is actively working with state/federal authorities and insurers to secure access despite policy shifts and is urging families to advocate for assured vaccine coverage.
  • Quote: “We cannot wait for policymakers to make decisions that are not in the best interest of children.”
    — Dr. Susan Kressley [49:09]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Pediatricians are terrified about the recent decisions made by the administration.” [02:55]
• “There is an attack on the nation’s children and the science behind what children need to stay healthy.” [08:55]
• “If not us, then who?... It was no light decision to have pediatricians decide to step up and sue the HHS secretary.” [12:02]
• “We can’t alone fix it... we need all of our elected officials to step up and do what’s right.” [18:28]
• “You have a much lower viral load… lower chance of spreading [COVID] around in significant numbers.” [33:03]
• “Ask your child’s pediatrician about RSV—or go to HealthyChildren.org for more.” [45:37]
• “We cannot wait for policymakers to make decisions that are not in the best interest of children. We will partner with whoever cares about child health to make sure that every child … has access to all ... they need, including vaccines.” [49:09]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Main Topic Introduction & Explaining Retaping: [01:44 – 02:55]
• Pediatricians' Reaction to CDC Firings: [02:55 – 07:09]
• Transformation of the AAP’s Advocacy: [12:02 – 14:08]
• Mass Shooting Policy Context: [14:08 – 17:29]
• New CDC Leadership Concerns; Messaging: [17:29 – 19:21]
• Trusted Health Info Sources for Families: [21:06 – 22:40]
• COVID and Flu Vaccine Guidance: [24:32 – 37:14]
• RSV Overview & New Infant Protections: [37:14 – 40:56]
• Clarifications, Access, and Coverage Discussion: [47:11 – 49:56]
• Closing Remarks: [49:56 – 50:32]

Final Takeaways

• The episode delivers an urgent call for evidence-based policy and public health leadership, resisting political interference and misinformation.
• Dr. Kressley underscores the primacy of protecting all children—AAP is unapologetically doubling down on science, access, and advocacy.
• Parents are advised to trust long-standing, expert-driven organizations like the AAP and to use recommended resources (HealthyChildren.org, pediatrician guidance).
• AAP is working intensively to safeguard universal vaccine access in the face of ongoing policy turbulence.

For More Information:

• HealthyChildren.org — Trusted family health guidance from the AAP
• immunize.org — Vaccine info for all ages
• Your local pediatrician — The first and best source for individualized vaccine advice