Medical groups issue independent vaccine guidance for 2026-27 season

The American Medical Association and the Vaccine Integrity Project have released independent vaccine recommendations for the 2026-27 respiratory season, covering flu, COVID-19, and RSV. They advise annual flu and COVID shots for most people, with specific guidance for children and high-risk adults. The groups said no new safety concerns were identified and that immunization provides meaningful protection against severe illness.

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The recommendations establish a tiered approach to vaccination. Universal flu vaccination is advised for all children from six months of age, while COVID-19 shots are universally recommended only for children aged 6–23 months, with older children receiving them based on risk factors or personal preference. RSV immunization follows a similar structure, prioritizing infants under 8 months who did not receive maternal protection before birth.

The guidance arrives as federal vaccine schedules have shifted under the current administration, prompting the AMA, American Academy of Family Physicians, and American Academy of Pediatrics to issue independent recommendations. The organizations published their findings at SpreadTheFacts.org, noting that comparative studies identified no new safety concerns and that protection against hospitalization and severe illness remains meaningful, though effectiveness varies by virus, population