AAP Updates Flu and RSV Guidance: Respiratory Season Is Starting Now
At least 190 children died from influenza last season in the United States — one of the highest totals in recent years. Fewer than half of children (49.4 percent) received a flu vaccine. The American Academy of Pediatrics is urging families to act now, as the 2026-27 respiratory virus season gets underway.
The AAP released updated guidance this month covering both influenza and RSV, the two respiratory viruses that send the most children to the hospital each fall and winter. For parents in Colorado Springs, where cold air and school routines accelerate transmission season, the timing is directly relevant.
Advertisement
Advertise hereFlu Vaccination: No New Rules, But the Urgency Is Real
The AAP's influenza recommendation for 2026-27 is unchanged: all children 6 months and older without a medical contraindication should receive an annual flu vaccine. There's no preferred product this season — all 2026-27 U.S. flu vaccines are trivalent, and the AAP says whatever your pediatrician carries is appropriate for your child.
The reason the guidance is drawing more attention this year is the 2025-26 season's severity. At least 190 pediatric deaths were confirmed — a number that pediatricians have been pointing to as a direct consequence of low vaccination rates. The vaccine doesn't guarantee your child won't get the flu, but it significantly reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
If your children haven't been vaccinated yet, late October is still well within the optimal window. Flu season typically peaks between December and February in Colorado, which means there's still time to build protection before the highest-risk months.
RSV: Expanded Guidance for High-Risk Toddlers
The AAP also published updated RSV immunization guidance on October 26 in Pediatrics, and this one contains genuinely new information for families with young children.
The existing recommendation — RSV immunization for all infants under 8 months entering their first RSV season — remains in place. What's new is an expansion of eligibility for second-season protection. Children aged 8 to 19 months who are at elevated risk (due to chronic lung disease, congenital heart disease, or other qualifying conditions) are now recommended to receive RSV immunization in their second RSV season as well.
If you have a child in that age range with a chronic health condition, a quick call to your pediatrician this week can confirm whether the updated criteria apply to your family's situation.
Quick Reference
| Vaccine | Who It's For | When to Act |
|---|---|---|
| Flu vaccine | All children 6 months+ | Now — before flu peaks Dec–Feb |
| RSV immunization (first season) | Infants under 8 months | Before first RSV season (fall/winter) |
| RSV immunization (second season) | High-risk children 8–19 months | Discuss with pediatrician now |
What's Next
Most pediatric practices in Colorado Springs offer flu shots during well-child visits and many have dedicated flu shot clinics through November. Call your pediatrician's office to confirm availability — walk-in slots at local pharmacies are also an option for children 4 years and older. The AAP's patient-facing resources are available at healthychildren.org.
What locals are saying
Be the first to share your thoughts
Start the conversation about this article.
Leave a reply
More from Colorado Springs
November in Colorado Springs: Family Events, Skate Night, and the Turkey Trot
After Halloween, November tends to feel like a gap month — the holidays aren't quite here yet, the weather is getting cold, and the calendar looks emptier than it actually is. In Colorado Springs, November is genuinely f
In Their Honor Parade Is November 7 (Not Nov. 11) — What COS Families Need to Know
The Colorado Springs Veterans Day Parade — officially named "In Their Honor" — takes place this Saturday, November 7, at 11:00 AM. The date is worth noting specifically: the parade is not on November 11, which is Veteran
CPSC Warning: Stop Using CHE-US Magnetic Stick Figures and Fidget Balls Immediately
The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a stop-use warning on October 29, 2026 for two products from CHE-US: magnetic stick figure sets and magnetic fidget balls. If you own either product, the CPSC's instruction i