Pediatricians recommend flu vaccine for ages 6 months and older

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children and teens receive an annual influenza vaccine this fall to keep them healthy and active in the classroom as they begin a new school year.

An AAP policy statement, “Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2025-2026,” recommends that all healthy people ages 6 months and older are vaccinated to protect against flu and keep their communities safe.

The statement and an accompanying technical report were recently prepublished online in “Pediatrics.” As a prepublication, the policies have undergone peer review and have been accepted for publication but are not the final version of record. Both policies will be published in the October 2025 “Pediatrics.”

“Children are more likely to get sick during the school year because they are in such close proximity to each other in class, over lunch and in play areas,” said Kristina Bryant, MD, FAAP, a member of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases.

“Getting children vaccinated is like giving their immune system a book that teaches their bodies to recognize and resist a disease. Immunized kids are healthier kids who can focus on growing, playing, and learning,” she said.

The 2024–2025 influenza season was an especially high-severity season for persons of all ages, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC reported 253 influenza-related pediatric deaths through June 21,2025. Of those, 42.7% occurred in children without a high-risk medical condition.

Historically, up to 80% of influenza-associated pediatric deaths have occurred in unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated children.

Children younger than 5 years are especially vulnerable to severe illness and hospitalizations or death due to influenza.

The AAP recommends:

• Any licensed influenza vaccine appropriate for age and health status can be administered, as soon as possible in the season, without preference for one product or formulation.
• Children 6 months to 8 years of age should receive two doses if this is the first time they are being vaccinated against influenza, or if they have only received one dose of flu vaccine ever before July 1. The doses are given four weeks apart.
• Influenza vaccine should be offered to children as soon as it becomes available, especially to those recommended to receive 2 doses. The recommended dose(s) ideally should be received by the end of October for optimal protection before the influenza season.
• Influenza vaccine is recommended for all pregnant individuals, during any trimester of gestation, to protect against influenza and its complications. When given during pregnancy, the vaccine protects the newborn in the first months of life (up to 6 months) through transplacental passage of antibodies.

The policy statement also discusses treatment for influenza. Parents with concerns about a child’s sickness should contact their pediatrician for guidance.

Flu symptoms often include fever, chills, headache, body aches, fatigue, sore throat, a  hacking cough,  a stuffy/ runny nose, vomiting and loose stools.

“Each year, it is possible that flu, COVID-19, and other common viruses will spread at the same time,” Dr. Bryant said. “Sometimes, the vaccine is not an exact match with the strains in the community. But the vaccine still can protect against serious illness.”