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Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2026-2027: Policy Statement
Insights
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends annual influenza vaccination for children aged 6 months and older. Antiviral medications are advised for hospitalized, severely ill, or high-risk children to reduce complications and transmission.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Influenza poses a significant health risk to children, necessitating updated prevention and treatment guidelines.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides annual recommendations for managing influenza in pediatric populations.
- Co-circulation of respiratory viruses underscores the importance of influenza control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To update the AAP's recommendations for influenza vaccine use and antiviral medication administration in children for the 2026-2027 season.
- To provide evidence-based guidance on the prevention and treatment of influenza in pediatric patients.
- To inform healthcare providers on optimal strategies for managing influenza in diverse pediatric settings.
Main Methods:
- Review of current scientific evidence on influenza vaccines and antiviral therapies.
- Development of clinical recommendations by the AAP based on expert consensus and data analysis.
- Inclusion of a companion technical report detailing the evidence base (https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2026-078779).
Main Results:
- Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all children 6 months and older without contraindications.
- Any licensed influenza vaccine appropriate for age and health status should be administered promptly.
- Antiviral treatment is recommended for hospitalized, severely ill, or progressive influenza cases, and for high-risk outpatients.
- Antiviral treatment should be initiated as soon as possible, irrespective of symptom duration or vaccination status.
- Antiviral chemoprophylaxis is an option for specific high-risk, unvaccinated, or immunocompromised children.
Conclusions:
- Annual influenza vaccination is a critical strategy for protecting children and the community.
- Antiviral medications play a vital role in reducing influenza severity, complications, and transmission.
- These updated recommendations aim to optimize influenza prevention and management in children.
Abstract:
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.
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