A top epidemiologist voiced his concerns about a new study published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that alleges there is an increased risk for post-COVID-19 conditions for children and teenagers who are seeking medical care.

In the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) on Aug. 5, researchers say that children aged 17 and younger with previous bouts of COVID-19 had higher rates of uncommon conditions such as myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, renal failure, type 1 diabetes, and other conditions. The study cited specific disease codes between March 2020 and January 2022.

In conclusion, the agency said that all children, even 6-month-olds, should get COVID-19 vaccines.

“COVID-19 prevention strategies, including vaccination for all eligible persons aged ≥6 months, are critical to preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent illness, and reducing the public health impact of post-COVID symptoms and conditions among persons aged 0–17 years,” the CDC wrote.

But University of California San Francisco epidemiologist Vinay Prasad, who has often criticized the CDC and other federal health agencies for their studies during the COVID-19 epidemic, argued CDC researchers are pushing “garbage” and “publishing poor quality science in MMWR.”