https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhoo...s-flu-vaccine-all-children-6-months-and-older
Pediatrics group recommends flu vaccine for all children 6 months and older
Meghan Holohan
August 10, 2026
Childhood Vaccines
Influenza Vaccines
“The good news is flu vaccines have been thoroughly studied,” Kristina A. Bryant, MD, a member of AAP’s Committee on Infectious Diseases (COID) 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,” she 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.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has yet to share influenza vaccine recommendations for the upcoming season.
The AAP also recommends flu vaccination for pregnant and breastfeeding women because it protects both mother and baby from illness. This aligns with what the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises for pregnant women in its immunization schedule.
Kids have more symptoms, complications
COID wrote AAP’s policy statement and accompanying technical report on the flu vaccine. Uptake of it in children remains low. As of May 2026, only 49.4% of children ages 6 months to 17 years received the flu vaccine, a rate similar to the previous year.
The 2025-26 flu season was considered severe, leading to 190 children dying. Most flu deaths, about 85%, occur in unvaccinated children.
Children also experience more symptoms than adults, with 8% to 10% of children having signs of flu. Children with flu can develop fever with or without upper respiratory symptoms, bronchiolitis, croup, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
We want to keep kids healthy and going to school and parents healthy and going to work. Flu vaccines can help us accomplish that.
Kristina A. Bryant, MD
They can also face more complications, such as myocarditis, pericarditis, myositis, rhabdomyolysis (rapid breakdown of muscle), seizures with or without fever, ataxia (uncoordinated movement), encephalitis, and encephalopathy. Sometimes, flu also leads to bacterial illnesses such as ear infections, pneumonia, sinus infections, and bloodstream infections.
“Influenza vaccination is an important strategy for protecting children and the broader community as well as reducing the overall burden of respiratory illnesses when other viruses are co-circulating,” the AAP wrote in its policy statement.
Antiviral drugs for at-risk patients
The technical report also addresses treatments and encourages antiviral drugs for children hospitalized with flu, those with serious or worsening illness, and children with a higher risk for complications. This guidance aligns with recommendations from the CDC, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society.
The authors note that prompt treatment works best and urge starting antivirals as soon as possible instead of waiting for a positive flu test.
“Antiviral treatments of influenza may reduce the duration of symptoms; reduce complications, including hospitalizations and death; and potentially reduce transmission,” AAP said.
Pediatrics group recommends flu vaccine for all children 6 months and older
Meghan Holohan
August 10, 2026
Childhood Vaccines
Influenza Vaccines
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all children 6 months and older without any medical contraindications receive the 2026-27 flu vaccine as soon as it’s available.“The good news is flu vaccines have been thoroughly studied,” Kristina A. Bryant, MD, a member of AAP’s Committee on Infectious Diseases (COID) 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,” she 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.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has yet to share influenza vaccine recommendations for the upcoming season.
The AAP also recommends flu vaccination for pregnant and breastfeeding women because it protects both mother and baby from illness. This aligns with what the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises for pregnant women in its immunization schedule.
Kids have more symptoms, complications
COID wrote AAP’s policy statement and accompanying technical report on the flu vaccine. Uptake of it in children remains low. As of May 2026, only 49.4% of children ages 6 months to 17 years received the flu vaccine, a rate similar to the previous year.
The 2025-26 flu season was considered severe, leading to 190 children dying. Most flu deaths, about 85%, occur in unvaccinated children.
Children also experience more symptoms than adults, with 8% to 10% of children having signs of flu. Children with flu can develop fever with or without upper respiratory symptoms, bronchiolitis, croup, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
We want to keep kids healthy and going to school and parents healthy and going to work. Flu vaccines can help us accomplish that.
Kristina A. Bryant, MD
They can also face more complications, such as myocarditis, pericarditis, myositis, rhabdomyolysis (rapid breakdown of muscle), seizures with or without fever, ataxia (uncoordinated movement), encephalitis, and encephalopathy. Sometimes, flu also leads to bacterial illnesses such as ear infections, pneumonia, sinus infections, and bloodstream infections.
“Influenza vaccination is an important strategy for protecting children and the broader community as well as reducing the overall burden of respiratory illnesses when other viruses are co-circulating,” the AAP wrote in its policy statement.
Antiviral drugs for at-risk patients
The technical report also addresses treatments and encourages antiviral drugs for children hospitalized with flu, those with serious or worsening illness, and children with a higher risk for complications. This guidance aligns with recommendations from the CDC, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society.
The authors note that prompt treatment works best and urge starting antivirals as soon as possible instead of waiting for a positive flu test.
“Antiviral treatments of influenza may reduce the duration of symptoms; reduce complications, including hospitalizations and death; and potentially reduce transmission,” AAP said.