Dedicated to the health and well-being of Pennsylvania's children
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PA AAP Champions Vaccine Confidence and Informed Care for Every Child
On October 1, 2025, Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order that ensures every Pennsylvanian has access to safe, effective vaccines and the freedom to make informed health care decisions in consultation with their doctors. In addition, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) has put out guidance for immunization recommendations. The PA DOH recommends that that Pennsylvanians follow the most recent immunization recommendations issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) (birth-6 and 7-18), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
Ensuring that every child has access to safe, evidence-based preventative care is an issue central to the mission of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (PA AAP). As vaccine policies continue to evolve, pediatricians play a critical role in helping families understand what these changes mean for their children’s health by building trust, addressing misinformation, and keeping communities protected through strong vaccine confidence and communication..
PA AAP President Kate Tigue, MD, FAAP, and other AAP members raise awareness on keeping patients informed in a recent article by Spotlight PA. Click here to read more!
Ensuring that every child has access to safe, evidence-based preventative care is an issue central to the mission of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (PA AAP). As vaccine policies continue to evolve, pediatricians play a critical role in helping families understand what these changes mean for their children’s health by building trust, addressing misinformation, and keeping communities protected through strong vaccine confidence and communication..
PA AAP President Kate Tigue, MD, FAAP, and other AAP members raise awareness on keeping patients informed in a recent article by Spotlight PA. Click here to read more!
Pennsylvania Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights (COBOR)
The PA AAP Climate and Environmental Health Committee and our partners at Prescribe Outside created the Pennsylvania Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights to emphasize every child’s right to experience nature safely and regularly. Spending time outdoors supports physical activity, mental health, curiosity, and resilience which are key elements of healthy development.
By promoting this initiative, PA AAP highlights the critical connection between environmental health and pediatric care, encouraging communities to ensure that every child in Pennsylvania can thrive in clean, safe, and enriching outdoor spaces. To learn more about the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights as well as the support of Pennsylvania House, Senate, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, and Governor Josh Shapiro, click here.
By promoting this initiative, PA AAP highlights the critical connection between environmental health and pediatric care, encouraging communities to ensure that every child in Pennsylvania can thrive in clean, safe, and enriching outdoor spaces. To learn more about the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights as well as the support of Pennsylvania House, Senate, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, and Governor Josh Shapiro, click here.
President's Message, October 2025
Kate Tigue, MD, FAAP
Dear colleagues,
Approximately 2 weeks ago, I was invited to a meeting in my local community to discuss the development of a task force, focused on early childhood literacy. Participants included representatives from pediatric health care delivery sites, local school districts and community literacy experts/advocates. This collaborative discussion was energizing as we discussed opportunities and barriers to help improve early childhood literacy and ultimately the percentage of 3rd grade students reading at proficient level. The overwhelming feeling of participants was that this was an exciting opportunity to support the development of a Reach Out and Read community, not just practice sites.
Approximately 2 weeks ago, I was invited to a meeting in my local community to discuss the development of a task force, focused on early childhood literacy. Participants included representatives from pediatric health care delivery sites, local school districts and community literacy experts/advocates. This collaborative discussion was energizing as we discussed opportunities and barriers to help improve early childhood literacy and ultimately the percentage of 3rd grade students reading at proficient level. The overwhelming feeling of participants was that this was an exciting opportunity to support the development of a Reach Out and Read community, not just practice sites.