Leading medical organisations in the US have issued their own vaccination guidance for upcoming respiratory virus seasons, diverging from federal recommendations and highlighting shifts in clinical priorities amid mounting criticism of federal health authority credibility.
Major medical organisations have issued their own respiratory virus vaccine advice for the 2026-27 season, moving to fill a guidance gap as federal health authorities face growing criticism over credibility and direction. The American Medical Association said the recommendations came from the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Infectious Diseases Society of America after an extensive evidence review.
On flu, the groups are united: the vaccine is recommended for everyone aged six months and older. On COVID-19, several of the medical societies are advising more broadly than the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, which tells parents of children under 18 to speak with a doctor. The physician groups say children aged six months to 23 months should receive the COVID shot, while children aged two to 18 should be vaccinated if they are at higher risk of severe illness.
RSV guidance is more varied, reflecting differences in patient populations and clinical priorities. Obstetricians are concentrating on pregnant women, especially as the RSV season is now understood to run from September through March rather than the shorter window used before. Across the main recommendations, RSV vaccination is focused on newborns, pregnant women and adults aged 75 and older, while the CDC also advises a single dose for adults aged 75 and over and for those aged 50 to 74 who face increased risk of serious disease.
Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Centre for Health Security, told KTVQ the shift away from federal leadership is significant. He said the evidence behind the shots has not fundamentally changed, but that the recommendations are now being interpreted by professional medical bodies rather than what he described as a compromised federal process. Adalja said people unsure about timing should try to get the flu jab by mid to late October, adding that waiting a little longer can improve durability, though September is still better than skipping vaccination altogether. He also urged patients to speak with their primary care doctor if they are uncertain, saying trusted clinicians can help sort out individual questions.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
