Committee on Infectious Disease. Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2026-2027: Policy Statement. Pediatrics. 2026 Aug 10
This statement updates recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for use of influenza vaccines and antiviral medications in prevention and treatment of influenza in children during the 2026-2027 influenza season. A review of evidence supporting these recommendations is in the accompanying technical report (https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2026-078779). The AAP recommends annual influenza vaccination of all children without medical contraindications starting at 6 months of age. Influenza vaccination is an important strategy for protecting children and the broader community as well as reducing the overall burden of respiratory illnesses when other viruses are cocirculating. 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. Antiviral treatment of influenza may reduce the duration of symptoms; reduce complications, including hospitalization and death; and potentially reduce transmission. The AAP recommends antiviral treatment for children with suspected or confirmed influenza who are hospitalized or have severe or progressive disease. In ambulatory settings, antiviral treatment should be offered to children who are at high risk of complications from influenza, including those with chronic medical conditions and immunocompromised patients. In all these situations, antiviral treatment should be started as soon as possible regardless of duration of illness or receipt of influenza vaccine. Antiviral treatment is an option in the ambulatory setting for all children with suspected or confirmed influenza. Antiviral chemoprophylaxis is an option in certain individuals, especially exposed children who are asymptomatic and are at high risk for influenza complications but have not yet been immunized or, if immunized, those who are not expected to mount an effective immune response.
See Also:
Latest articles in those days:
- Characterisation of a human monoclonal antibody targeting a conserved epitope at the base of the HA head of influenza A(H3N2) virus 6 hours ago
- An outbreak report of Influenza A(H3) among residents of a large nursing home in northern Italy: attack rates, clinical features and outcomes 19 hours ago
- Susceptibility of calves fed unpasteurized milk from cows infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 20 hours ago
- Functional mapping of IFITM3 resolves its antiviral core and deciphers human influenza susceptibility 20 hours ago
- Near real-time data on the human neutralizing antibody landscape to influenza virus as of early 2026 to inform vaccine-strain selection 20 hours ago
[Go Top] [Close Window]


