The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children aged 6 months and older get their flu shots early this season, challenging new CDC guidelines and aiming to bolster protections after nearly 200 child deaths last winter.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is urging families to make sure children aged 6 months and older get this season’s flu shot, moving before federal officials have issued their own guidance for the next influenza season. The Illinois-based group says the vaccine remains the best defence against serious illness, especially for young children who are at greater risk of complications from influenza.
The recommendation comes after the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention last year dropped its long-standing universal advice for annual flu vaccination from the childhood schedule. Instead, the agency limited its guidance to certain higher-risk groups or situations where doctors and families make a shared decision. That shift, reported by Time in January 2026, marked a major change in US vaccine policy and drew criticism from many physicians and public-health groups.
In its statement, the academy said the case for vaccination is especially strong after nearly 200 children died during the 2025-26 flu season, while fewer than half of children aged 6 months to 17 years were vaccinated. Kristina Bryant, who serves on the academy’s infectious diseases committee, said flu vaccines have been studied thoroughly, are safe for children and can prevent hospital stays, deaths and many doctor visits. The CDC says annual flu vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months and older and points to evidence that the shots help reduce illness and serious complications.
The academy is advising parents to get children vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available, ideally before the end of October, ahead of the peak of flu season. It also encourages pregnant and breastfeeding women to be vaccinated to help protect themselves and their babies. The group notes that the best timing is usually just before winter, when protection is expected to be strongest in the weeks after vaccination.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
