Recommendations for the Prevention of RSV Disease in Infants and Children: Policy Statement

This policy statement updates recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for the use of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunization for the prevention of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) caused by RSV in infants and children. The AAP recommends RSV immunization for all infants under 8 months of age born during or entering their first RSV season, unless the infant has documented protection from vaccination of their pregnant parent; and for infants and children 8 through 19 months of age who are at high risk of severe RSV disease and entering their second RSV season. A review of evidence supports expanding the high-risk criteria for administration of RSV immunization in infants and children 8 through 19 months of age entering their second RSV season. A discussion of the evidence supporting the AAP recommendations and additional details on infants and children included in the expanded recommendations are in the accompanying technical report (https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2026-079049).