AAP releases influenza vaccine recommendations for all children 6 months and older
The American Academy of Pediatrics has updated its influenza vaccine recommendations for the 2026–2027 season, advising annual vaccination for all children aged 6 months and older. The guidelines also emphasize the use of antiviral treatments for children at high risk of complications or those with severe illness.
Why it matters
Clear clinical guidance for pediatric influenza is essential for reducing hospitalizations and managing seasonal outbreaks in schools and communities.
edited by Gaby Clark , reviewed by Alexander Pol
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Add as preferred source Researchers from the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases updated recommendations for the use of influenza vaccines and antiviral medications in the prevention and treatment of influenza in children during the 2026–2027 influenza season.
In a policy statement issued by the AAP and published online Aug. 10 in Pediatrics , the AAP recommends annual influenza vaccination starting at age 6 months for all children without medical contraindications. The recommendations state that any licensed, age- and health-status-appropriate vaccine can be administered as soon as possible in the season, with no preference for product or formulation.
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