The American Academy of Pediatrics updates its influenza guidance for the 2026-2027 season, urging annual vaccination for all children aged 6 months and older amidst low uptake and a new vaccine formulation targeting a dominant H3N2 strain.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has updated its influenza guidance for the 2026 to 2027 season, urging annual vaccination for all children aged 6 months and older who do not have medical reasons not to be immunised. In a policy statement published in Pediatrics, the academy said any licensed flu vaccine suitable for a child’s age and health status may be given as soon as possible in the season, with no preference for one product or formulation.
The new advice also reinforces the role of antiviral drugs for children with suspected or confirmed influenza who are hospitalised or whose illness is severe or worsening. The academy said children at higher risk of complications, including those with chronic medical conditions or weakened immune systems, should be offered treatment promptly, regardless of how long they have been ill or whether they have already received a vaccine. Antiviral medication is also presented as an option in outpatient care for children with suspected or confirmed flu, while preventive antiviral treatment may be appropriate for certain exposed children who are symptomatic and at high risk but not yet immunised, or who are unlikely to respond fully to vaccination.
The guidance comes after what the academy described as a difficult 2025 to 2026 flu season for children, with vaccination uptake still low. It said just 49.4% of children aged 6 months to 17 years had received flu shots by May 16, 2026. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says the 2026 to 2027 vaccine formulation has been updated, including changes aimed at protection against an influenza A(H3N2) strain that circulated widely last season.
Kristina A. Bryant, a member of the academy’s Committee on Infectious Diseases, said in a statement that the goal is to keep children well enough to attend school and families healthy enough to work. “Flu vaccines can help us accomplish that.”
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
