AAP Recommends 2026-2027 COVID-19 Vaccine for All Children 6 Months Through 18 Years

The American Academy of Pediatrics has released its 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine guidance, and the recommendation is consistent regardless of your child's prior vaccination history: one dose of the age-appropriate 2026-27 formulation for all children ages 6 months through 18 years.

For Colorado Springs families navigating the fall back-to-school health calendar, this is a timely update to be aware of before the busy season sets in.

What the AAP Recommends

According to the policy statement published in the journal Pediatrics, AAP recommends that all infants and children ages 6 through 23 months receive the 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine. For children ages 2 through 18, the guidance calls for a single dose of the age-appropriate 2026-27 vaccine — and that single-dose recommendation applies regardless of how many doses a child has received in prior seasons.

What Else Changed in the 2026 Immunization Schedule

The 2026 childhood immunization schedule from the AAP includes two other noteworthy updates for parents to be aware of.

First, clesrovimab has been added for RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) immunization. RSV is particularly serious for infants and young children, and clesrovimab offers an additional protective option for eligible patients — talk to your pediatrician about whether it's appropriate for your child.

Second, the recommended age range for the HPV vaccine has been updated to ages 9 through 12 years, making it slightly earlier than the prior framing. If you have a child approaching that age window, it's worth discussing with your pediatrician at your next well visit.

How to Get Your Child Vaccinated in Colorado Springs

Your pediatrician's office is the most straightforward place to schedule the 2026-27 COVID-19 vaccine. Most offices begin receiving the updated formulations in late September and early October. You can also check local pharmacies (many offer pediatric vaccines with a prescription) or the El Paso County Public Health website for community vaccination options.

If your child has a well-child visit scheduled this fall, that's a natural time to address the COVID-19 vaccine along with any other updates from the 2026 immunization schedule.

What's Next

The full AAP guidance is available at publications.aap.org. If you have questions about whether your child is up to date or which vaccines apply, contact your pediatrician directly. El Paso County Public Health (elpasocountyhealth.org) also maintains local immunization resources for Colorado Springs families.