The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all children aged 6 months and older receive flu vaccines for the 2025-26 season, aiming to increase low coverage and prevent severe illness and deaths among youth.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is urging that all children 6 months and older, unless they have a medical reason not to, receive a flu jab this season, saying vaccination should begin as soon as possible and that there is no preference for one product over another. In its updated guidance for the 2025-26 season, the academy said the aim is to lift coverage rates that remain stubbornly low despite the well-established benefits of immunisation.
According to the AAP, flu vaccination cuts the risk of death from influenza in children and teenagers by 80%, yet only 49% of those aged 6 months to 17 years were vaccinated last season. The group said that leaves large numbers of young people exposed at a time when flu continues to cause severe illness, hospital admissions and deaths.
Dr Kristina Bryant, a member of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases, said in a news release that flu vaccines have been thoroughly studied and are safe for children. She said they help prevent not only hospital stays and deaths but also the many illnesses that send children to doctors and keep families out of work and school.
The academy’s recommendation also fills a gap left by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, which has not yet issued new seasonal guidance, though its standing advice continues to recommend annual flu vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older. The CDC says the shot is the best way to reduce the risk of flu and its complications, and it notes that all flu vaccines used in the United States this season are trivalent, meaning they protect against three influenza strains.
The AAP said there were 190 child deaths during the 2025-26 flu season and noted that historically about 85% of children who die of flu have not been vaccinated. It also cited CDC estimates that the vaccine prevented nearly 15,000 hospital admissions and 245 deaths in children during the 2024-25 season.
The academy said flu shots should be covered by commercial insurers and by the federal Vaccines for Children programme. It also said any licensed flu vaccine may be used if it is suitable for a child’s age and health condition. For children who do get sick, the AAP recommends antiviral treatment for those who are hospitalised, severely ill or at high risk of complications. It added that the drug Xofluza, whose active ingredient is baloxavir marboxil, is due to be available as a generic this season, which could make treatment cheaper and easier to obtain.
The guidance also extends to pregnancy, with the AAP saying flu vaccination is recommended for pregnant women to protect both mother and baby, while vaccination during breastfeeding can help protect both as well. The broader message from paediatricians is straightforward: flu remains a preventable threat, and this year’s advice is another push to close the gap between what is medically possible and what families actually do.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
