AAP Recommends 2026-2027 Flu Vaccines for All Children 6 Months and Older

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recommended that all children aged 6 months and older without medical contraindications receive the 2026-27 flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available. Issued by the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases and published in Pediatrics, the updated guidance advises annual vaccination without preference for any specific product or formulation.

Dr. Kristina A. Bryant on Flu Vaccine Safety

The good news is flu vaccines have been thoroughly studied, Dr. Kristina A. Bryant, a member of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases, said in a press release. We know they are safe in children and they can prevent not just hospitalizations and death but every year they prevent a substantial number of illnesses that result in trips to the doctor’s office. Bryant added, We want to keep kids healthy and going to school and parents healthy and going to work. Flu vaccines can help us accomplish that.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Guidance

The guidance also advises flu vaccination for pregnant and breastfeeding women to protect both mother and child, aligning with recommendations from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not yet released its influenza vaccine recommendations for the upcoming season.

Antiviral Treatment Recommendations for Children

To address the treatment and prevention of the virus, the AAP recommends antiviral treatment for children with suspected or confirmed influenza who are hospitalized or experiencing severe or progressive disease. In ambulatory settings, antiviral treatment should be offered to children at high risk for complications—including immunocompromised patients and those with chronic medical conditions—as soon as possible, regardless of illness duration or whether they received a vaccine.

Pediatric Deaths During the 2025-26 Flu Season

The updated recommendations arrive following a severe 2025-26 flu season that resulted in 190 pediatric deaths, with approximately 85% of fatalities occurring in unvaccinated children. Vaccine uptake during that period remained low, with only 49.4% of children ages 6 months to 17 years receiving a flu vaccine through May 2026.